At least 21 people, including foreign nationals, were killed and several others critically injured after a major fire swept through a hotel building in Delhi, India, on Wednesday morning. The blaze occurred in Malviya Nagar, a neighbourhood in south Delhi.
The blaze erupted at a bed-and-breakfast (B&B) establishment in the Hauz Rani area, triggering a large-scale rescue operation. Video footage captured occupants jumping from windows to escape the blaze.
The incident has raised questions about alleged violations of building and fire safety norms at the property, while renewing concerns over the enforcement of safety regulations in the national capital.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu said he had spoken to officials and directed them to ensure immediate medical assistance, relief measures and a thorough investigation into the tragic incident.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the state government was extending all necessary assistance to survivors and the families of the victims.
“Immediately upon receiving information about the incident, teams of Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, CATS Ambulance Services and other emergency response agencies were mobilised,” Gupta said in a statement. “Their swift response helped rescue and evacuate several people from the affected premises. In this hour of grief, the Delhi government stands firmly with the affected families and remains committed to providing every possible support.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
In a statement, Modi said authorities were providing all possible assistance to those affected and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The prime minister also announced an ex-gratia payment of 200,000 rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each person killed in the fire, while those injured would receive 50,000 rupees.