India's federal health minister said at least 23 people died after a fire broke out in a private hospital in the eastern Indian city of Bhubneswar.

Minister J.P. Nadda disclosed the increased death toll in an interview with the Times Now TV news station.

"The fire broke out late on Monday and spread to the intensive care unit at the private Sum Hospital in Bhubneswar," said a local legislator Vijay Mohanti.

"The fire had been brought under control by late Monday night," said fire official Ramesh Manjhi.

Indian Prime Minister Narender Modi, in a tweet expressed grief over loss of lives in the hospital fire. Modi in another tweet assured the state government for all the possible support from the central government.

Earlier this year, a fire and explosions during a fireworks display to mark the start of the local Hindu new year killed over 100 people and injured more than 380 others at a temple in southern India.

Thousands had packed overnight into the temple complex in Kerala state where the firework is thought to have landed on a stockpile of others, triggering a huge blast that tore through concrete buildings.