Several Dead in New Delhi Hotel Blaze, Nigerian, Liberian Victims Confirmed
A devastating fire at a hotel in India’s capital, New Delhi, has left several people dead, including foreign nationals from Nigeria and Liberia, authorities said.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday at a hotel in the Malviya Nagar area of the city, rapidly spreading through parts of the building and trapping guests inside.
Thick smoke and fast-moving flames made escape difficult as emergency responders battled to contain the fire.
Local media reports indicated that around 21 people were killed in the incident, with a significant number of the victims believed to be foreign nationals staying at the hotel.
India’s Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, said the government is in contact with the embassies of the affected countries and is providing necessary support to victims and their families.
Police have arrested the hotel owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, as investigators probe possible safety lapses and violations of building regulations.
Authorities are examining whether negligence contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
The hotel was reportedly used frequently by patients and relatives visiting a nearby hospital, making it a common lodging point for both local and international guests.
Following the incident, New Delhi authorities have ordered inspections of hotels and guest houses across the city, warning that establishments found violating safety standards will face closure and prosecution.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about fire safety enforcement in India, where recurring fatal fires are often linked to weak regulation and inadequate emergency infrastructure.
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