At least 21 people died in a fire at a hotel in New Delhi, India, on June 3, 2026. Police described it as one of the deadliest fires in the Indian capital in years.
The blaze broke out in a building in the southern neighborhood of Malviya Nagar, which houses a restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel above. The densely populated area is home to many students and young people, and is also a destination for foreign patients seeking medical treatment.
Delhi police said the fire was extinguished with the help of eight fire engines. More than 40 people were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals. Authorities expressed deep sorrow, stating, “We deeply mourn the loss of 21 lives in this tragic incident.”
Local media reported that some of the victims were African nationals who had come to India for medical treatment. Many foreign patients regularly travel to New Delhi for healthcare and stay in apartments near hospitals.
Television footage showed two people jumping from upper floors of the building, while many others were trapped as flames and smoke engulfed the area. Local residents joined rescue efforts, helping to evacuate those who could not escape and taking the injured to safety.
The cause of the fire was not immediately determined. However, fires in buildings are common in India due to a lack of fire-fighting equipment and violations of safety regulations. Local administrative official Jitendra Kumar said, “The restaurant was operating on the ground floor of the building… it is very likely that the fire is related to that restaurant.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
