Delhi Hotel Fire Claims 21 Lives as Desperate Guests Jump to Safety
A catastrophic fire at a hotel in the Indian capital of Delhi has resulted in the deaths of at least 21 people, Reuters reports. The tragic incident, which occurred on Wednesday, is being described by local police as one of the deadliest blazes the city has witnessed in recent years.
Eyewitnesses reported distressing scenes as desperate guests leapt from the burning four-storey building to escape the advancing flames and billowing smoke. In a frantic bid to save lives, quick-thinking residents dragged mattresses from a nearby shop and spread them across the pavement below to break the fall of those jumping from the upper levels.
«People spread mattresses, and a woman from the third floor jumped on it with a little kid,» recounted local witness Sher Khan.
Broadcast footage captured the terrifying moments when individuals plunged from the higher floors as the building was consumed by the inferno.
Local resident Wasim Raja, who assisted in the initial rescue efforts, told the ANI news agency that the community rallied together using stock from a nearby mattress shop to cushion the impact for the trapped guests.
Suspected origins and rescue operations
The blaze erupted shortly before 9:00 a.m. local time in the Malviya Nagar area of South Delhi. According to local residents, the fire initially broke out on the ground and first floors, completely cutting off the escape routes for those staying higher up in the building.
Emergency services swiftly dispatched eight fire engines to tackle the inferno which was eventually extinguished by midday. Local administration official Jitendra Kumar informed reporters that a restaurant was operating on the ground floor, noting that it is highly probable the fire was connected to that establishment.
Casualties and official response
In an official statement, police confirmed that a coordinated operation involving fire crews, law enforcement and emergency medical responders successfully rescued more than 40 individuals. The survivors were immediately transported to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment.
«It is with profound sorrow that 21 persons have been declared dead in this tragic incident,» the police statement confirmed.
A spokesperson for the state-run All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) reported that their facility had admitted 13 patients from the scene, with two currently remaining in a critical condition. Victims were mostly of foreign origin, NDTV reports.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the social media platform X to share his condolences regarding the massive loss of life. He assured the public that the relevant authorities are actively providing all possible assistance to the survivors and the families of the victims.
