A devastating fire that ripped through a hotel catering largely to medical travelers in India’s capital has left at least 21 people dead, prompting authorities to launch a criminal investigation into the tragedy.
The blaze broke out Wednesday morning at the Flourish Inn Stay hotel in the Malviya Nagar district of southern New Delhi, an area known for accommodating patients and their families seeking treatment at nearby hospitals.
Police said the fire started in a restaurant located on the ground floor before rapidly engulfing the upper levels of the five-story building, trapping dozens of occupants, many of whom were asleep.
At least 47 people were inside the hotel when the fire erupted at around 8:50 am local time. Authorities confirmed that 21 people died, including 17 foreign nationals from African and Central Asian countries.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as thick smoke and flames spread through the structure. Some guests reportedly jumped from upper-story windows in desperate attempts to escape.
Local resident Vasim Raja, among the first civilians to respond, said neighbors rushed into the building before emergency crews arrived.
“We managed to bring several people out from the basement before rescuers reached the site,” he said.
The hotel is located just a short distance from Max Hospital Saket, one of the city’s major healthcare facilities. Hospital officials said 18 victims who died in the incident were brought to the medical center, while 15 others were admitted and treated for burn injuries, smoke inhalation, and other fire-related conditions.
The tragedy has drawn attention to the risks facing medical tourists who travel to India for affordable healthcare. The country has become a major destination for patients from Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and other regions seeking specialized treatment at lower costs than in many Western nations.
Investigators are now examining whether negligence or violations of fire safety regulations contributed to the high death toll.
Delhi Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against unidentified individuals and have begun a formal probe into the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the blaze, but officials said inspections of the building’s safety systems and emergency exits are underway.
The incident ranks among the deadliest hotel fires in the Indian capital in recent years and has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety standards in hotels, guesthouses, and other establishments serving vulnerable travelers.