MALVIYA NAGAR — At least 21 people were killed in a fire at a hotel in the Malviya Nagar neighborhood of southern New Delhi on Wednesday. Fire crews rescued 37 people from the building, and at least 40 individuals have been rescued overall, according to emergency response reports.
The building, located in a predominantly residential area popular with students and young professionals, housed a restaurant on the ground floor with residential units above. Four bodies were recovered from the site, and at least seven people were taken to hospitals for treatment. Initial reports had cited lower death tolls of 18 and four, but authorities later confirmed the higher figure of at least 21 fatalities.
Television visuals showed the building engulfed in flames, with thick smoke billowing out and its exterior charred black. Residents gathered in a narrow lane nearby as two people were seen jumping from a higher floor in desperation. The fire was extinguished, though the cause remained unclear at the time of reporting.
"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," local administration official Jitendra Kumar told reporters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the loss of lives was tragic and extended his heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Fires are common in India, where building laws and safety norms are often flouted by builders and residents, according to longstanding observations of urban safety practices. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether violations contributed to the severity of this incident.