At least 21 people, including 18 foreign nationals, have died after a devastating fire swept through a hotel in India's capital, Delhi, on Wednesday. The blaze is among the deadliest fires recorded in the city since 2022.
The fire broke out at a four-storey hotel in the Malviya Nagar area of south Delhi, trapping many occupants on the upper floors. Witnesses said several people were forced to jump from windows in a desperate attempt to escape the flames.
Local residents rushed to assist, dragging mattresses from a nearby shop into the street to cushion the fall of those leaping from the building.
According to local broadcaster CNN-News18, the victims included citizens of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique and Liberia. Reuters was unable to independently verify the nationalities of those who died.
"People spread mattresses, and a woman from the third floor jumped on it with a little child," witness Sher Khan said.
Television footage showed thick smoke billowing from the building as at least two people jumped from higher floors while the fire raged.
Residents who took part in the initial rescue operation said the fire appeared to have started on the ground and first floors, cutting off escape routes for people staying above.
"There is a mattress shop here. We took the mattresses from there and laid them on the road to help those who were jumping out of the building," local resident Wasim Raja told ANI news agency.
Emergency services rescued more than 40 people and transported them to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The fire broke out shortly before 9am local time, prompting the deployment of eight fire engines. Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control around midday.
Delhi Police said 21 people had been confirmed dead, describing the incident as a tragic loss of life.
A spokesperson for the state-run All India Institute of Medical Sciences said 13 patients had been admitted, including two in critical condition.
Local administration official Jitendra Kumar said a restaurant operating on the ground floor may have been linked to the outbreak of the fire, although investigations remain ongoing.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims' families in a post on social media, stating that authorities were providing all possible assistance to those affected by the tragedy.
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