Delhi Hotel Fire Claims 21 Lives, 40 Rescued

A devastating fire at a six-story hotel in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar claimed 21 lives on Wednesday morning, with several others critically injured. The blaze broke out around 8:50 AM at the Lemon Green Restaurant on the ground floor of the Flourish Stay hotel and quickly engulfed the upper floors. Among the deceased were foreign nationals from Central Asia and African countries, though their exact numbers are yet to be confirmed.

The Delhi Fire Service, along with local residents, launched a massive rescue operation. Heart-wrenching videos from the scene showed people jumping from the building in a desperate attempt to escape the flames. Residents used mattresses to cushion their falls. In total, 40 people were rescued, including six from the basement, but the toll could rise as several remain in critical condition.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire. However, initial reports reveal that the hotel was operating with 25 rooms despite having permission for only six. This raises serious questions about regulatory violations and safety compliance. The hotel is located on the busy Press Enclave Road, near Max Hospital and AIIMS, making the incident even more alarming given its central location.

This tragedy is part of a worrying trend in Delhi, which has seen multiple fire-related incidents in the past six months, resulting in 66 deaths. The incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of fire safety norms in the city.

As investigations continue, the focus remains on identifying the victims and providing medical care to the injured. For now, the city mourns yet another preventable disaster, with calls growing louder for accountability and reform.