Delhi hotel fire kills eight members of a family reunion

A family reunion in Delhi to be with a critically ill patriarch turned tragic when a fire engulfed a hotel, killing eight members.

Relatives had gathered from various cities to spend precious time with 75-year-old Radheshyam, unaware of the devastating loss that awaited them.

What began as a family reunion around a critically ill elderly man ended in unimaginable tragedy when a fire tore through a Delhi hotel, claiming the lives of eight members of the Aggarwal family. The relatives had gathered in the capital to spend precious time with 75-year-old Radheshyam, who is undergoing treatment for a lung infection at Max Hospital in Saket. The family has not yet informed him about the devastating loss, a TOI report stated.

Family members from Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Rajasthan and other places had travelled to Delhi after doctors reportedly indicated that Radheshyam's condition was serious. To remain close to him, they booked rooms in a nearby hotel. The decision, meant to keep the family together during a difficult period, ended in disaster.

Relatives had gathered after receiving grim news about Radheshyam

Speaking from the hospital waiting area on Wednesday, relatives recalled how the family came together after receiving concerning updates about Radheshyam's health.

“We were here just a few days ago when doctors broke the news. The family had booked rooms nearby so they could spend as much time as possible with him,” said 59-year-old Lata Aggarwal, a relative.

The family chose to stay near the hospital so they could be close to the elderly patriarch during what they feared could be his final days.

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Three relatives delayed their return home to stay longer with family

Among those who lost their lives were Radheshyam’s wife Premlata (70), son Vivek (47), daughter-in-law Tarjani (42), and granddaughter Varya, known within the family as Pearl (16). His elder granddaughter Jivisha, affectionately called Angel (20), had arrived from Bengaluru only hours before the fire broke out.

Vivek worked as the chief financial officer of a private insurtech company. Tarjani was employed with an event management firm and had previously won a beauty pageant title. Angel was pursuing a BTech degree, while Pearl had recently secured 97% marks in her Class X examinations.

Also staying at the hotel were Premlata’s sister Kamla (52), brother Ashok (56), and brother-in-law Jhaveri from Kishangarh in Rajasthan's Ajmer district. According to relatives, the three had planned to leave earlier, but family members persuaded them to stay longer so everyone could spend more time together.

Kamla and Ashok died in the fire, while Jhaveri remains missing.

A desperate call for help during the blaze

Relatives said Vivek managed to contact family members after the fire started. “His brother contacted another cousin who lives in Kotla Mubarakpur, and he rushed to the spot with his wife,” Lata said.

Family members quickly rushed to the hotel after receiving the distress call. Swati, Vivek's sister-in-law, was among those who reached the scene.

“We pulled him out and tried administering CPR, but by then he had inhaled too much smoke,” Swati told TOI. She also alleged that emergency response teams took time to reach the location.

“Vivek called us around 8.45am. The fire tenders reached almost when we did, nearly 45 minutes later,” she claimed, adding that narrow lanes made access difficult for firefighting vehicles.

A senior fire official denied the allegation when approached for a response.

Family identified Tarjani through her jewellery

The aftermath left relatives shattered. According to family members, Tarjani was found dead inside her room. “Her body was beyond recognition. We identified her through her jewellery,” Lata said.

Holding her phone, Lata showed a message she had sent Tarjani earlier that morning, informing her that breakfast would be delivered to the family. The message was never read.

A close-knit family torn apart in a single morning

Relatives said the Aggarwals had earlier lived together as a joint family in Kotla Mubarakpur before moving to Gurgaon. Even after relocating, they remained deeply connected and frequently spent time together.

Swati struggled to hold back tears while remembering Angel. “Even now, her body is at AIIMS, separated from the rest of them. She was pursuing her education away from home,” she said.

Family members described a household that enjoyed travelling together and celebrating life's moments as a unit. Their social media accounts reflected those bonds.

One post on Tarjani’s social media profile contained a message written for Angel: “Remember your mumma loves you fiercely, unconditionally, and with so much pride. That’s one thing I hope you never forget.”

The words now stand as a painful reminder of a family gathering that was meant to create memories, but instead became the last time many of them would be together.