• At least 21 people have died in a fire at a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar.
• Many of the victims were foreign nationals, including those from African countries.
• The fire broke out in the ground floor restaurant and spread rapidly throughout the building.
• Emergency services rescued over 40 individuals, with ongoing investigations into safety violations.
• Prime Minister Modi announced compensation for the victims' families and the injured.

At least 21 people were killed in a devastating fire that broke out at the Flourish Stay hotel in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, which occurred on Wednesday morning around 8:50 AM local time. The fire started in the ground floor restaurant and quickly spread, affecting upper floors where many individuals were sleeping, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and South China Morning Post.

The hotel was allegedly operating beyond its licensed capacity, with reports indicating it had permission for six rooms but was functioning with 25, which included several makeshift accommodations in the basement. This has raised significant concerns regarding building safety regulations and compliance, as noted by officials from several news sources Times of India and BBC.

Witnesses described harrowing scenes, including people jumping from upper floors to escape the flames. Local residents actively participated in rescue efforts, helping trapped individuals before emergency services arrived on the scene. Videos revealed chaotic efforts as onlookers spread mattresses on the ground for those leaping from windows, according to Times of India and CBS News.

The Delhi Police have initiated an investigation, registering a case under culpable homicide following the incident. They reported that ten police officers who assisted in the rescue were injured during the operation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the tragedy and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees for the families of the deceased and 50,000 for those injured, as reported by Al Jazeera and Times of India.

Initial reports suggest that many victims were foreign nationals visiting for medical treatment, underscoring the hotel’s role as an accommodation for healthcare tourists. The fire department continues to investigate the exact cause of the blaze, with early indications pointing to possible electrical failures leading to the fire's outbreak, according to Reuters and Times of India.