A devastating fire at a hotel and restaurant complex in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar claimed at least 21 lives on Wednesday, making it one of the deadliest fire incidents in the national capital in recent years.
The blaze broke out in the morning at a restaurant operating on the ground floor and basement of a five-storey building that also housed a hotel and guest accommodation. Thick smoke and flames rapidly spread through the structure, trapping dozens of occupants inside.
According to officials, more than 40 people were rescued from the building and shifted to nearby hospitals. Several victims were reported to have suffered injuries while attempting to escape. Eyewitnesses said some people jumped from upper floors as the fire intensified, while local residents helped rescue trapped occupants by placing mattresses on the road below.
Authorities said many of those killed were foreign nationals, including visitors who had come to Delhi for medical treatment. The hotel is located near major healthcare facilities and was known to host overseas patients and their attendants.
Firefighters rushed multiple fire engines to the scene and launched a large-scale rescue operation. Police, disaster management teams and medical personnel also joined the effort. The fire was eventually brought under control after several hours, but rescue and search operations continued throughout the day.
Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have originated in the restaurant area, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Officials are examining possible safety lapses, including reports that the building had limited evacuation routes, which may have hampered rescue efforts and contributed to the high death toll.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the families of those killed and ₹50,000 for the injured. President Droupadi Murmu and other leaders also conveyed condolences to the victims’ families.
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