Five Bangladeshis injured as Delhi hotel fire leaves 21 dead
The Indian PMO confirmed that an ex-gratia payment of R2 lakh will be granted to the next of kin of each deceased person, while those who sustained injuries will receive Rs50,000
A fire swept through a hotel in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar locality today (3 June), killing at least 21 people, including several foreign nationals, and injuring five Bangladeshi citizens.
The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi said in a social media post that so far five Bangladeshi nationals could be traced as injured.
According to the statement, three of the five injured Bangladeshis are receiving treatment at Max Hospital in the nearby Saket area, while the remaining two are being treated at Safdarjung Hospital.
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It said it is in constant touch with the Indian authorities and is closely monitoring their condition.
The break-and-breakfast hotel is popular among foreigners, mainly from African countries and central Asia, who come to Delhi on medical visas as it is located near three key medical facilities All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Max Hospital and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital.
DCP (South) Anant Mittal confirmed that 21 people have been killed.
According to the Delhi Police and reports compiled by news agency PTI, the blaze trapped numerous patrons inside the building before emergency response teams could contain the flames.
The Delhi Police stated that authorities received a distress call regarding the fire at 09:45am (local time), prompting the immediate dispatch of eight fire tenders to the scene.
Emergency response teams were mobilised immediately after the incident was reported, according to Jitendra Kumar, sub-divisional magistrate and an official with the District Disaster Management Authority.
Kumar confirmed that a hotel was actively operating on the ground floor of the building, and while the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, preliminary assessments indicate that the blaze most likely originated within the hotel premises.
Firefighters managed to rescue a total of 40 people from the burning structure, all of whom were immediately transported to hospital for treatment.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the tragic incident and announced immediate financial assistance for the victims and their families.
The Indian Prime Minister's Office confirmed that an ex-gratia payment of R2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund will be granted to the next of kin of each deceased person, while those who sustained injuries in the incident will receive Rs50,000 in state aid.
