Key facts
- A fire occurred at a hotel in Malviya Nagar, south Delhi.
- At least 21 people died in the fire.
- Over 40 people were rescued from the hotel.
- The fire is believed to have started in a ground-floor restaurant.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences.
A fire broke out at a hotel in Malviya Nagar, a residential area in south Delhi, on Wednesday, resulting in at least 21 fatalities. Police reported that over 40 people were rescued from the building. Visuals from the scene showed smoke billowing from the building and charred exteriors, with some individuals seen jumping from higher floors. Local officials indicated that the fire likely originated from a restaurant operating on the ground floor of the hotel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the loss of life as tragic and extended his condolences to the victims' families, also wishing a swift recovery to those injured. Around 40 people were rescued, with many rushed to hospitals across the southern part of the Indian capital. Building fires are common in India due to a lack of firefighting equipment and routine disregard for safety regulations. The fire broke out in the morning at Flourish Stay, a bed-and-breakfast in a congested neighbourhood in the south of the city. Some people trapped inside were seen hanging from windows and shouting for help as flames and smoke swept through parts of the building.