Malviya Nagar Restaurant Fire Claims Over 20 Lives in Delhi

Image Credit: Jatin Surya Kumar/TNN

NEW DELHI: At least 20 people have died 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 09:45 local time and dispatched multiple fire tenders to the scene. According to news agency PTI, many of those killed are foreigners. A total of 11 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. 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." Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta 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. He added that four bodies had been recovered and sent to hospital. "We are awaiting official confirmation regarding their condition and identities. Additionally, seven to eight other people, including those who sustained injuries, have also been taken to the hospital for treatment," he said. Divisional Officer Ravinder from the Nehru Place fire station was present at the site during the rescue operation. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. Authorities said further investigations are under way.