At least 21 people, including Nigerian nationals and 17 other foreigners, were killed after a fire swept through a hotel in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday, June 3, in one of the deadliest fire incidents recorded in the Indian capital in recent years.
Authorities said the victims included foreign nationals from Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique and Liberia, although officials have yet to release the identities of those killed or injured. As a result, it remains unclear how many Nigerians were affected.
The fire broke out at Flourish Stay B&B, a hotel located in the Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar in South Delhi, shortly before 9 a.m. local time, around 4:30 a.m. Nigerian time.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene after flames rapidly spread through the multi-storey building, trapping dozens of occupants.
Witnesses said several people jumped from upper floors in desperate attempts to escape the blaze as thick smoke engulfed the building.
Residents in the area joined rescue efforts, pulling mattresses from a nearby shop and laying them on the road to cushion the fall of those leaping from windows.
“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.
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Officials said more than 40 people were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
“Through the coordinated efforts of police, fire services and other emergency responders, more than 40 persons have been rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment,” police said.
“It is with profound sorrow that 21 persons have been declared dead in this tragic incident,” authorities added.
According to emergency officials, 47 people were affected by the fire. Of those, 21 died, 17 sustained injuries and nine remained in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could rise further.
Preliminary investigations suggested the fire may have originated from a restaurant operating on the ground floor of the building.
“There was reportedly a restaurant operating on the ground floor of the building … it is most likely that the fire was connected to that restaurant,” local administrator Jitendra Kumar told reporters.
Authorities also raised concerns over safety violations, saying the hotel had approval for only six rooms under Delhi’s bed-and-breakfast regulations but was allegedly operating up to 25 rooms, including additional spaces in the basement.
Investigators said sealed windows, a sensor-controlled entrance and a single exit point may have worsened the disaster by limiting escape routes.
Reacting to the tragedy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (₦2.8 million) for the families of those killed and 50,000 rupees (₦709,895) for those injured