Foreign nationals among victims as safety lapses suspected in Malviya Nagar blaze.
A massive fire ripped through a five-storey bed-and-breakfast hotel in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar neighbourhood on Wednesday, killing at least 21 people, including a significant number of foreign nationals, police said.
The blaze at Flourish Stay B&B broke out around 8:50am local time, reportedly starting in a ground-floor restaurant before rapidly spreading through the building, which housed guests on upper floors. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky as panicked occupants jumped from windows and balconies to escape the flames.
Delhi Hotel Fire Kills 21, Dozens Rescued:
Delhi Police and fire officials confirmed that more than 40 people were rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals, where at least 21 were declared dead on arrival. Initial reports indicate that 11 to 18 of the deceased were foreign nationals, many of whom were reportedly in Delhi for medical treatment at nearby hospitals.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as locals rushed to help, with one shopkeeper piling mattresses on the street to cushion falls.
Safety Risks Under Scrutiny:
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with preliminary findings pointing to severe safety violations. The building reportedly had only a single entry-exit route, inadequate ventilation, and lacked basic fire safety equipment such as alarms and sprinklers. It was allegedly operating far beyond its licensed capacity.
The hotel owner has been arrested, according to local reports. Delhi Fire Services deployed multiple tenders to control the blaze, which was eventually extinguished.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced financial assistance for the victims’ families. The tragedy has renewed scrutiny over fire safety regulations in India’s densely populated urban areas, particularly in informal and semi-legal accommodations popular with tourists and medical visitors.
This is one of the deadliest fires in the Indian capital in recent years, echoing past incidents that exposed systemic issues in building compliance and emergency preparedness.
As rescue and recovery operations continue, families of the victims-both local and international-continue to search for information amid the ongoing investigation.