21 Killed in Delhi Restaurant Fire, Many Foreigners Among Victims

Local people rescue a foreign national from a hotel fire in New Delhi (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: At least 21 people were killed after a fire broke out at a restaurant in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday morning, officials said. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said it received a call about the blaze at 09.45am and dispatched multiple fire tenders to the scene. According to news agency PTI, many of those killed are foreigners. The blaze erupted at Flourish Stay B&B. More than 40 people were rescued from the building during the operation, officials said. All of them were taken to hospital in Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) ambulances. Also read: 'Many killed were foreigners, people jumped from upper floors': 21 dead in Delhi restaurant fire; what we know so far Earlier, authorities had said three people were rescued from the basement and shifted to hospital.

Image Credit: Jatin Surya Kumar/TNN

Jitendra Kumar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and an official with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), said emergency response teams were mobilised immediately after the incident was reported. "As soon as I received information about the incident this morning, we activated our DDMA cell. All EOCs were informed and instructed to reach the spot immediately. I was supposed to leave for a training program myself, but I postponed it and came here instead," he said. "Upon arriving, we learned that a restaurant was operating on the ground floor of the building. The exact cause of the fire is still not known, but it is most likely that the blaze originated from the restaurant. However, we do not yet have complete details."

'Ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased' Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the incident and announced financial assistance for the victims' families. "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 Prime Minister's Office said in a post on social media. The PMO said an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased person, while those injured in the incident would receive Rs 50,000. "An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the post quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as saying. Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta also expressed grief over the loss of lives and said the government was closely monitoring the situation. "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the devastating fire incident in Malviya Nagar. 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," she said in a post on social media. Gupta said teams from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, CATS Ambulance Services and other emergency response agencies were mobilised immediately after the incident was reported. "Their swift response helped in rescuing & evacuating several persons from the affected premises," she said, adding that all necessary medical assistance and support were being extended to the affected families. "In this hour of grief Delhi Govt. stands firmly with the affected families. We remain committed to providing every possible support to those impacted by this tragedy," she added. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. Authorities said further investigations are under way.