New Delhi Hotel Fire Kills at Least 21, Dozens Injured

At least 21 people were killed after a fire tore through the Flourish Stay hotel in New Delhi, with more than 40 others injured and rushed to hospital. Authorities said several victims were foreign nationals, including African medical visitors. The blaze broke out in the morning and was eventually contained after eight fire engines responded, while rescue operations continued for hours. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, though electrical faults are suspected. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as tragic and offered condolences to victims’ families.

At least 21 people were killed after a fire engulfed a hotel in New Delhi on Wednesday, in one of the deadliest blazes recorded in the Indian capital in recent years, according to police officials.
Authorities said several of the victims were foreign nationals, including visitors from African countries who had travelled to India for medical treatment. The fire also left more than 40 people injured, all of whom were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency care following rescue efforts.
The fire broke out in the morning at Flourish Stay, a bed-and-breakfast located in a crowded residential neighbourhood in south Delhi. Delhi Police said rescue and search operations continued for hours as firefighters and emergency responders worked to evacuate trapped guests and search the building for additional victims.
Officials confirmed that the blaze was eventually brought under control after eight fire engines were deployed to the scene. Multiple emergency agencies remained at the site to assist with recovery operations and support affected families.
“It is with profound sorrow that 21 persons have been declared dead in this tragic incident,” Delhi Police said in a statement, adding that efforts were ongoing to provide assistance to survivors and their families.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “tragic” and extended condolences to those who lost loved ones. His office also issued a statement on social media platform X expressing sympathy for the victims.
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially determined. However, electrical short circuits caused by poorly maintained wiring are frequently cited as a major cause of fire outbreaks in India, especially in densely populated buildings that often fail to meet safety standards.
Building fires remain a persistent problem in India due to overcrowding, weak enforcement of safety regulations, and inadequate emergency infrastructure. Similar tragedies have occurred in recent years, including a hospital fire in eastern India in March that killed at least 10 critically ill patients.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident as concerns grow that the death toll could still rise.