21 people, including foreigners, died in a hotel fire in New Delhi

A severe fire in a multi-storey building in the Malviya Nagar area of South Delhi, India, has claimed the lives of 21 people, including foreigners. The incident occurred in a three-to-five-storey commercial and residential building that housed a restaurant and lodge named Lemon Green, located in the Hauz Rani area of South Delhi.

The fire, which started between 8:50 AM and 9:45 AM on Wednesday (June 3) from the lower floor or ground floor of the building, rapidly spread to the upper floors due to poor ventilation and inadequate safety measures. The severity of the incident was exacerbated as many occupants were asleep or trapped in their rooms at the time.

The Delhi Fire Service promptly responded, deploying over 10 fire tenders, including water tankers and emergency response vehicles, and managed to bring the fire under control after several hours of intense effort. Among the deceased were several foreign nationals from African countries, particularly South Africa. The majority died from suffocation due to the heavy smoke, while a woman and a child, among others, reportedly died after jumping from the upper floors and the roof of the building to escape the rapidly spreading flames. Firefighters and rescue teams jointly rescued over 40 people safely, and the injured were admitted to local hospitals, including AIIMS and Max Saket. The condition of several of them remains critical.

Responding immediately to the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed her condolences and instructed officials to closely monitor relief efforts. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed sorrow over the tragedy and announced compensation of two hundred thousand Indian rupees ($₹2,00,000$) for the families of the deceased and fifty thousand rupees ($₹50,000$) for the injured. Senior officials, including South Delhi Superintendent of Police Anant Mittal, stated that although the business operating in the building was only authorized for six rooms, it had accommodated tourists far exceeding its permitted capacity and limits. A comprehensive investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire, with suspicions pointing towards an electrical short circuit or lack of proper maintenance.

Authorities are taking legal action against the building owners for negligence regarding blocked emergency exits and non-functional automatic fire alarm systems in a busy area like Malviya Nagar, frequented by tourists and locals. This tragedy brings back memories of past Delhi fire incidents, such as the Karol Bagh hotel fire in 2019, which claimed 17 lives, and the Uphaar Cinema fire in 1997, once again sparking a serious discussion about the severe shortcomings in fire safety provisions within India's hospitality sector.