A fire breaks out at a bed-and-breakfast in Malviya Nagar, a residential area in New Delhi, and kills at least 21 people, according to police and authorities. Dozens of others are injured, with figures reported by Indian officials and outlets ranging from about 20 to 22 foreign nationals among the dead or injured. The incident also includes foreign nationals in contact with embassies, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs says.
Emergency services respond with multiple fire engines and conduct rescues that move more than 40 people to nearby hospitals. Reporting describes conditions that worsen evacuation, including limited access to exits, limited safety features, and a single staircase in the building. Some sources say the premises operates beyond its licensed capacity and that essential safety clearances, including fire clearance, are missing.
Authorities launch investigations into the fire’s cause and whether building and operating rules are followed, with reporting also focusing on potential shortcomings among responsible agencies and compliance with safety regulations. The blaze is described as one of the deadliest recent hotel fires in the capital.
