At least 20 killed in Delhi hotel fire, including 12 foreign nationals

NEW DELHI: At least 21 people, including 12 foreign nationals, were killed after a fire erupted at a hotel in New Delhi on Wednesday, with police citing the tragic incident as the city’s deadliest happening since 2022.

Authorities did not immediately confirm the nationalities of the foreign victims.

 According to local media reports, the foreign nationals may include citizens from Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique and Liberia. However, reports have yet to confirm, Reuters cited.

Individuals, who were witnessing the incident when it was taking many lives, said several people jumped from the burning building here, aimed at trying to escape the flames, while locals rushed to help by placing mattresses on the ground to reduce the impact of falls.

“People spread mattresses, and a woman from the third floor jumped on it with a little kid,” said witness Sher Khan.

Television footage showed people jumping from upper floors as the four-storey building was engulfed in flames and thick smoke.

Local residents said the fire began on the ground and first floors, trapping those on higher levels. Wasim Raja, a resident who helped in rescue efforts, said mattresses were brought from a nearby shop to assist those jumping from windows.

The fire broke out shortly before 9 am (local time), and eight fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze, police said. The fire was extinguished around midday.

Officials said 49 people were taken to hospitals, while eight were discharged after treatment. Two patients remain in critical condition at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), according to hospital authorities.

Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have started in a restaurant operating on the ground floor, said local official Jitendra Kumar.

Police have registered a case and detained the building owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, as investigations continue.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the tragedy, saying authorities were providing all possible assistance to those affected.