Delhi blaze: 11 foreigners among 21 dead as questions emerge over building safety and response time

The scenes inside the Flourish Inn Stay in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar were so horrifying that they were “indescribable,” Wasim, an eyewitness, told Newslaundry as he tried to recall what unfolded at the property on Wednesday morning, when a major fire tore through the building, leaving at least 21 people dead.

Locals were the first to act. Israr Khan, a resident of the area, said he and his associates rescued around 45 people from the building using mattresses. Visuals showed those trapped on the upper floors trying to jump off.

“We broke the locks…there was a canteen on the first floor…thankfully there was no cylinder blast,” Khan told Newslaundry. He added that they immediately transported victims to the nearby Max Hospital.

Another eyewitness said fire tenders arrived only after locals had already completed much of the rescue effort – an allegation that has since become a flashpoint for political recrimination.

Among the 21 dead are 11 foreign nationals and 10 Indians. Five foreigners are also among the injured. The injured are being treated at AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, and Max Super Specialty Hospital.

Max Hospital, which received the bulk of the casualties, said 39 people were brought in, of whom 18 were declared dead on arrival. Fifteen patients have been admitted to the ICU, including eight on ventilator support who remain in critical condition. Five with minor injuries were given first aid and discharged; one with severe burns was transferred to Safdarjung Hospital.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

A building with one staircase

Abhilash Kumar Malik, Chief Fire Officer (South Zone), said the fire department received information about the incident at 8:50 am and initially dispatched seven fire tenders and one Assistant Divisional Officer. Additional vehicles and senior officers followed as distress calls multiplied. 

Malik’s description of the building’s structure raised immediate questions about safety. “When we were conducting the search operation, I thoroughly inspected the building from top to bottom. This building has a basement, a ground floor and five upper floors. For the entire building, there is only one staircase along with a lift... The building has been completely sealed,” he said.

Delhi cabinet minister Ashish Sood said action would be taken against establishments operating without the required permissions.

“The entire administration is deeply concerned and distressed by this tragic incident... We have decided that action will be taken against establishments that do not possess the necessary permissions. For instance, this building (Flourish Stay) was granted permission in 2024 to operate as a six-room bed-and-breakfast establishment. The permissions of establishments found violating the rules will be cancelled,” Sood said.

Political fallout

Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu ordered a month-long drive to ensure fire safety compliance across hotels, nursing homes, coaching centres, and resorts. Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi ordered a probe and sought a report within three days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs 50,000 for those injured. “The loss of lives due to a fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi is tragic. 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,” the PMO wrote on X.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government was “standing shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved families”. “My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and for strength & courage to all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. Delhi Govt. is closely monitoring the situation. All necessary medical assistance & support are being extended to the affected families,” she tweeted.

The Aam Aadmi Party and Congress alleged delays in the fire department’'s response. Former AAP MLA from Malviya Nagar, Somnath Bharti, said the fire brigade took nearly an hour to arrive despite the station being just minutes away.

“The rescue teams were dispatched, but the fire brigade, which should have arrived within a few minutes of the incident, reached almost an hour later, despite the station just three minutes away from the spot. Residents were extremely proactive. Because of their efforts, many lives were saved. We could have saved many more lives had the fire brigade arrived on time,” Bharti said.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav, after visiting the site, also alleged serious lapses in the handling of the incident.

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