At least 21 people were killed and several others injured after a massive fire broke out in a multi-storey building in the Malviya Nagar area of south New Delhi on Wednesday, according to police officials.
The blaze erupted in a building housing a restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel on the upper levels in the densely populated neighborhood. Authorities said more than 40 people were rescued from the building and rushed to nearby hospitals as emergency teams battled the flames.
Firefighters deployed at least eight fire engines to contain the fire, while television footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the structure as rescue operations continued.
Officials said the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, although preliminary indications suggest it may have originated from the restaurant operating on the ground floor.
Local administration official Jitendra Kumar told reporters that the fire was “most likely connected” to the restaurant premises.
India media reports indicated that several victims were foreign nationals who had traveled to India for medical treatment.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims and announced compensation of Rs 200,000 for the families of those killed in the tragedy.
