Published On 3/6/2026
21 people were killed, including at least 18 foreigners, as a result of a fire that broke out in a hotel in the Indian capital, New Delhi, on Wednesday, according to what police and media reported, in one of the worst fire incidents in the Indian capital since 2022.
According to preliminary information indicated by CNN – News 18 and the Indian police, among the dead were citizens of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique and Liberia. 40 people were rescued and taken to hospitals, and rescue teams recovered four bodies.
Fires are common in India, as residents and building construction supervisors often violate building codes and safety standards.
He jumped off the building
Witnesses said that a number of people jumped from the burning building in the Malviya Nagar area in southern New Delhi to escape the flames.
Television footage showed two people jumping from a high floor of the burning building, with thick smoke billowing from it.
Residents who participated in the initial rescue operations reported that the fire broke out in the ground and first floors of the four-story building, leading to the detention of those on the upper floors.
Condolences and financial assistance
According to a statement issued by the police, the fire broke out shortly before nine in the morning local time (3:30 am GMT), and eight fire engines were sent to the stricken hotel, and firefighting operations continued until approximately midday, according to what witnesses said.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire to break out, but Jitendra Kumar, a local administration official, told reporters, “Reports indicate that there is a restaurant operating on the ground floor of the building… and the fire is likely to be related to it.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the victims, his office said in a post on the X platform. The office added that the families of the dead will receive 200,000 rupees ($2,088) financial assistance.
