Foreign nationals among 21 dead in New Delhi hotel fire

NEW DELHI: A blaze tore through a hotel in India’s capital on Wednesday, killing at least 21 people, including several foreign nationals, according to police and local media.

Delhi Police said in a statement that the fire broke out in the morning at Flourish Stay, a bed-and-breakfast located in a crowded neighbourhood in the south of the city. Indian television footage showed flames shooting from the building and thick black smoke rising above it, while people stranded on upper floors were seen jumping onto mattresses spread out below.

In its statement, police said: "It is with profound sorrow that 21 persons have been declared dead in this tragic incident."

Authorities said more than 40 people were taken to hospitals for treatment. A statement issued by a nearby hospital said eight of the injured were in critical condition. Local lawmaker Satish Upadhyay told reporters that 47 guests were staying at the hotel when the fire started.

Citing unnamed officials, several of those killed were foreigners, mainly from Central Asia and Africa. Local media said many of them had travelled to New Delhi for medical treatment.

India’s junior foreign minister Kirti Vardhan Singh said on X that the foreign ministry was in contact with the embassies of the affected countries and was providing assistance. He said the ministry remains engaged with the concerned embassies and is extending necessary support.

Residents gathered at the site as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control and ambulances transported the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the deaths as tragic, and his office said in a statement:

"My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones"

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Some reports suggested the hotel had only one entry and exit point and did not have proper ventilation. Upadhyay said an inquiry would be carried out and that anyone found to have violated rules and to be responsible would be arrested immediately.

Building fires occur frequently in India, where a shortage of firefighting equipment and repeated violations of safety regulations have been longstanding concerns.