Deadly Fire Engulfs New Delhi Hotel, Claims 21 Lives

The tragedy that unfolded in New Delhi has left at least 21 dead following a fire at the Flourish Inn Stay hotel. The fire erupted in the ground floor restaurant at 8:50 a.m. local time, swiftly spreading throughout the five-story building. Many guests were asleep in their rooms as the blaze took hold.

Witness videos captured horrifying scenes of people jumping from windows to escape. Vasim Raja, a local resident, witnessed the chaos. He stated, “I saw at least two people jumping out from the windows.” Raja was among the first on the scene, helping rescue seven individuals from the building’s basement before official rescuers arrived.

According to authorities, 47 people were inside the hotel when the fire broke out. Police confirmed that among the 21 fatalities, 17 were foreign nationals from African and Central Asian countries. The Flourish Inn Stay is notably popular among medical tourists visiting Max Hospital Saket, which is nearby. The hospital received 18 deceased victims and treated 15 others for various injuries.

India attracts medical tourists due to its high-quality and affordable healthcare, drawing patients from regions such as Africa, Central Asia, and the Persian Gulf. Following this disaster, Delhi Police registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against unknown persons. An investigation is underway.

A preliminary fire department investigation revealed the hotel lacked a valid fire safety certificate. While the cause remains uncertain, an electrical short circuit is suspected. Amidst the devastation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced relief payments for affected families—200,000 Indian rupees to those who lost loved ones and 50,000 rupees for the injured. Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed his condolences, labeling the event as a “heartbreaking tragedy.”