Police in Delhi, India report that a devastating hotel fire claimed the lives of at least 21 people on Wednesday, marking one of the deadliest blazes in the nation’s capital in recent years.
The deadly incident occurred at a hotel situated in the Malviya Nagar area of south Delhi, according to authorities. This neighborhood is known as a residential district that attracts many students and young working professionals.
Emergency responders have successfully rescued at least 40 individuals from the burning structure, police confirmed.
News footage captured the building engulfed in flames with thick smoke pouring from the structure and blackened walls visible as local residents gathered in the narrow street to watch the emergency unfold.
The video also documented two individuals leaping from upper floors of the burning building.
Local administration official Jitendra Kumar explained to the media that investigators believe the fire originated from a restaurant operating on the building’s first floor. “There was reportedly a restaurant operating on the ground floor of the building … it is most likely that the fire was connected to that restaurant,” Kumar told reporters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the tragedy, calling the deaths heartbreaking while offering his sincere sympathies to families who lost loved ones and hoping for quick healing for those injured in the incident.
