A tragic fire incident at a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar area has claimed the lives of 13 foreign nationals, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the death toll and stated that approximately 20 to 22 foreign nationals sustained injuries in the blaze.
MEA Confirms Casualties and Embassy Coordination
In a statement, Jaiswal said, "13 foreign nationals died in Delhi's Malviya Nagar fire incident." He added that the ministry is in touch with the embassies of the affected countries to provide necessary assistance and information. The injured are receiving medical treatment at local hospitals.
Details of the Incident
The fire broke out at a hotel in the densely populated Malviya Nagar area of South Delhi. Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, and rescue operations were launched to evacuate guests and staff. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with authorities looking into possible electrical faults or other factors.
Local police and fire department officials have cordoned off the area, and an inquiry has been ordered to determine the sequence of events. The hotel management is cooperating with the investigation.
Response from Authorities
The Delhi Fire Service received the alert and dispatched multiple fire tenders to control the flames. Firefighters worked tirelessly to douse the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighboring buildings. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, where some are reported to be in critical condition.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal assured that the government is providing all possible support to the affected foreign nationals and their families. "We are in constant touch with the embassies and will ensure all necessary assistance is extended," he said.
Reactions and Condolences
The incident has sparked condolences from various quarters, with political leaders and diplomats expressing grief over the loss of lives. The Delhi government has announced compensation for the families of the deceased and injured.
This tragedy highlights the need for stringent fire safety measures in hotels and public buildings. Authorities are expected to conduct safety audits across the city to prevent such incidents in the future.
