National
Delhi Hotel Blaze Kills 21, Massive Rescue Operation Saves Over 40
A devastating fire at a hotel in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area claimed 21 lives on Wednesday, while more than 40 people were rescued in a large-scale operation involving police, fire services, and emergency response teams. National leaders, including the President and Prime Minister, have expressed grief and announced assistance for the victims and their families.
At least 21 people lost their lives and more than 40 others were rescued after a major fire broke out at a hotel in the Malviya Nagar area of South Delhi on Wednesday morning.
According to Anant Mittal, the blaze was successfully brought under control with the help of eight fire tenders. He stated that coordinated efforts by the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, and other emergency responders enabled the rescue of more than 40 people, who were subsequently shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The fire occurred at a hotel in the Hauz Rani locality of Malviya Nagar, triggering a massive rescue and relief operation. Emergency personnel worked for several hours to evacuate occupants and contain the blaze.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and said that authorities were providing all possible assistance to those affected. He also announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased victim, while injured persons will receive ₹50,000 each.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families.
In her message, President Murmu described the incident as deeply heartbreaking and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Home Minister Shah stated that local authorities were actively engaged in rescue and relief operations and that the injured were receiving the best possible medical care.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also expressed grief over the tragedy. She said that immediately after receiving information about the incident, teams from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, District Disaster Management Authority, CATS Ambulance Services, and other agencies were mobilized to undertake rescue and evacuation efforts.
The Chief Minister added that the Delhi government is closely monitoring the situation and ensuring that all necessary medical assistance and support are extended to the victims and their families.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and are examining possible safety lapses. The incident has once again raised concerns regarding fire safety compliance in commercial establishments across the national capital.
