NEW DELHI (Agencies) —At least 21 people, among them 18 foreign nationals, were killed after a devastating fire broke out at a hotel in India’s capital, New Delhi, officials and media reports said on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at *Flourish Stay*, a bed-and-breakfast located in a densely populated neighbourhood in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar. Police confirmed that rescue operations were launched immediately after the blaze erupted in the morning hours.
Authorities said the fire spread rapidly through the ground and first floors of the four-storey building, trapping several guests on upper levels. Many victims reportedly attempted to escape by jumping from windows as flames engulfed the structure. Local residents rushed to assist by placing mattresses on the street to reduce the impact of falls.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people shouted for help and smoke filled the building. Some survivors were pulled out and transported to nearby hospitals, while over 40 individuals were reportedly admitted for treatment.
Delhi Police stated that the death toll had reached 21, with victims including nationals from Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Liberia, according to broadcaster CNN-News18. Reuters noted that it could not independently verify the nationalities at the time of reporting.
Fire services deployed at least eight fire engines to bring the blaze under control after significant effort. Officials said multiple agencies remained on site to assist rescue and recovery operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “tragic” and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed. However, electrical short circuits caused by poorly maintained wiring are frequently cited as a leading cause of building fires in India. The incident comes months after another fatal fire at a hospital in eastern India that killed at least 10 patients.
