At least 21 dead in massive fire at south Delhi hotel

WEB DESK: At least 21 people were killed on Wednesday in a devastating fire that tore through a hotel in south Delhi, local police said, marking one of the worst blazes to hit the Indian capital in recent years.

The property was located in Malviya Nagar, a bustling, predominantly residential neighbourhood popular among university students and young professionals. Emergency workers managed to rescue at least 40 people from the building as the fire spread.

Television visuals from the scene showed thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the structure, leaving behind a heavily charred exterior as crowds of anxious residents gathered in the narrow lanes below. In harrowing scenes broadcast by local networks, two desperate individuals were seen jumping from the upper floors of the building to escape the advancing flames.

Restaurant suspected as source

Preliminary assessments by local authorities suggest that the fire may have originated from a commercial establishment on the lower levels of the building.

“There was reportedly a restaurant operating on the ground floor of the building… it is most likely that the fire was connected to that restaurant,” local administration official Jitendra Kumar told reporters at the scene.

Inquiries are underway to determine whether the building complied with local fire safety codes and possessed the necessary clearance certificates. Dense urban areas in Delhi often suffer from narrow access roads and dangling overhead wiring, which frequently complicate rescue efforts during such emergencies.

High-level condolences

Following the tragedy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the heavy loss of life and offered support to the victims’ families.

Describing the incident as deeply tragic, the prime minister extended his heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to the individuals injured in the blaze.

Local hospital authorities stated that several of the rescued individuals are currently receiving treatment for smoke inhalation and burn injuries, with a few remaining in critical condition.