At least 21 people were killed on Wednesday morning after a fire engulfed a restaurant and hotel building in India’s capital, triggering a major rescue operation in the busy Malviya Nagar area of South Delhi.

More than 40 people were rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals, while officials said the cause of the blaze is still being investigated.

Delhi Fire Services said they rushed multiple fire engines to Lemon Green Restaurant after receiving a call about the blaze at around 9.45am. Another official account said the fire broke out at around 8.50am local time.

The building houses a restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel on the floors above.

Delhi Police confirmed that at least 21 people had died in the incident. “It is with profound sorrow that 21 persons have been declared dead in this tragic incident,” police said in a statement.

Police said more than 40 people were rescued and taken to hospitals in the South Delhi area for medical treatment. Officials fear the death toll could rise as some victims are being treated for severe burns.

Survivors jumped from upper floors

Local officials said some people survived by jumping from windows on the upper storeys of the building. Sub-divisional magistrate Jitendra Kumar said the exact cause of the fire was not yet known, but it most likely began in the restaurant.

He said some people from the upper floors jumped onto mattresses placed on the road by local residents.

Local media reported that some of the victims may have been foreign nationals who had travelled to Delhi for medical treatment. 

Malviya Nagar is located near several major private hospitals that provide services for international patients. Somnath Bharti, a former lawmaker from the constituency, claimed on X that “majorly South African nationals” were among those found dead.

Officials have not yet confirmed that claim.

Fire contained as investigation continues

Officials said the blaze broke out in a multi-storey building and was later contained. The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained, according to the Press Trust of India.

Authorities are continuing investigations into whether the fire started inside the restaurant.

Modi announces compensation for victims’ families

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as tragic and offered condolences to the families of those killed. 

“My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured,” Modi said, according to a post by his office on X.

His office said the families of those killed would receive Rs200,000 each in financial assistance.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also expressed grief over the tragedy. “I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and for strength & courage to all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” she wrote on X.

She said emergency response agencies had been mobilised and rescue and relief operations were underway.

“Delhi government is closely monitoring the situation. All necessary medical assistance & support are being extended to the affected families,” she said.

“In this hour of grief Delhi govt stands firmly with the affected families. We remain committed to providing every possible support to those impacted by this tragedy.”

The fire comes a day after 11 people were injured in a suspected LPG cylinder explosion that caused a building to collapse in north Delhi’s Mukundpur area.

Over the weekend, six people were also killed in a building collapse in the capital’s Saket area.

Source: SAMAA

--Agencies