At least 21 people lost their lives and over 40 others were rescued after a massive fire broke out at a hotel in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, officials said.
The blaze triggered panic among guests as thick smoke quickly spread through the building. The hotel, identified as Flourish Stay B&B, was operating under Delhi government’s Bed and Breakfast scheme.
Officials said six of the deceased were foreign nationals, while nine were Indian citizens. The identities of the remaining six victims are yet to be confirmed. Authorities are working to identify the bodies and contact their families.
Dramatic scenes unfolded during the fire, with videos showing two women jumping from the building in an attempt to escape the flames and heavy smoke. Their condition was not immediately known.
Eight fire tenders were deployed to the spot after the Delhi Fire Service received an alert around 9 am. Firefighters carried out rescue operations and evacuated people trapped inside the building. Several injured persons were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Preliminary investigations have raised questions about possible violations of licence conditions. Sources said the hotel had permission to operate only six rooms under the Bed and Breakfast scheme but was allegedly running 25 rooms, including some in the basement.
At least three people were rescued from the basement area. Delhi Police have begun the process of registering an FIR against the hotel owner. Officials also said the building had only one entry and exit point.
The Delhi Fire Services chief confirmed that the hotel did not possess a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). According to him, the building’s structure itself did not meet the requirements needed to obtain a fire NOC. He also pointed out that several nearby hotels were operating without similar fire safety clearances.
After the fire was brought under control, visuals from the site showed severe damage, with large portions of the building charred. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the loss of lives and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also expressed grief over the tragedy and said the government was closely monitoring the situation. She assured that all necessary medical support and assistance were being provided to the victims and their families.