Fire in Delhi hotel kills at least 21, police say

At least 21 people were killed in a fire at a hotel in Delhi on Wednesday, police said, in one of the worst such incidents in the national capital in recent years.

The hotel was located in Malviya Nagar in south Delhi, they said, a predominantly residential area popular with students and young professionals. The fire reportedly broke out at around 8:50am local time (0320GMT).

A Delhi Police statement confirmed the death toll, adding that over 40 people were rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

Television visuals showed a building on fire, smoke billowing out and charred exteriors as residents watched from a narrow lane nearby. They also showed two people jumping from a higher floor of the building.

"There was reportedly a restaurant operating on the ground floor of the building; it is most likely that the fire was connected to that restaurant," local administration official Jitendra Kumar told reporters.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as "tragic," adding: “My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected.”

Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said through X that “emergency response agencies were mobilised," with "rescue and relief operations” underway.

She said the government is closely monitoring the situation.

Officials also said that it was a multi-story building and the fire was contained; however, the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.