A severe fire broke out on Wednesday in a multi-storey building in the Malviya Nagar area of southern New Delhi, killing at least 21 people and injuring many others. The building housed a restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel above.
The area is predominantly residential, crowded with students and young people, with many shops, eateries and small hotels packed closely together. Delhi police said the fire was brought under control with the help of eight fire engines, and more than 40 people were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and is under investigation. Images from the scene showed firefighters spraying water at the blazing building, with thick black smoke billowing from windows. Some trapped victims were seen hanging from windows, screaming for help as flames and smoke spread.
Local residents joined rescue workers, helping evacuate those trapped and moving the injured to safety before ambulances arrived. According to local media, some of the victims were foreign nationals who had come to India for medical treatment.
New Delhi is a major medical tourism hub, with many overseas patients staying in budget hotels and rental apartments near hospitals while undergoing treatment. The office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims' families and announced a compensation of 200,000 rupees (about $2,088) for each family of the deceased.
Fires are common in India, where building and safety regulations are often poorly enforced. Narrow staircases, blocked exits, faulty wiring and the lack of fire safety equipment in older or converted commercial buildings frequently lead to fatal accidents in crowded urban areas like New Delhi.
