A devastating fire at a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday claimed at least 21 lives, leaving families and friends grief-stricken as they gathered outside Max Hospital in Saket, desperately seeking information about their loved ones.
The hospital's waiting area was crowded with anxious relatives and friends poring over lists, making desperate phone calls, and approaching officials for updates as victims of the fire were brought in for treatment and identification.
"We can't recognise them by looking at pictures; it's unrecognisable. Everyone is severely burnt," one relative told PTI while sobbing.
Among those waiting was Namit Goel, who said six of his relatives were trapped in the blaze. While four bodies had been identified, the identities of two others were yet to be confirmed, leaving the family in a state of agonising uncertainty.
"Four bodies are in Max Saket mortuary and two bodies are in another hospital. We are trying to locate them," he said.
Family members said the six relatives had travelled from Gurugram to Delhi for medical treatment and were staying at the hotel when the fire broke out.
Elsewhere in the hospital, Vivek was desperately searching for his 25-year-old friend, Sujita, who was feared to be among those affected by the fire. He said police officials showed him photographs of the victims to help with identification, but he was unable to find her among them.
"Can't recognise her, her phone is also not traceable," he said.
The fire erupted at the Flourish Stay bed-and-breakfast hotel in the densely populated Hauz Rani area, sparking panic among guests and staff trapped inside the building. Several occupants were rescued, while eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as thick smoke rapidly spread through the structure and people scrambled to find a way out.
A police official at the hospital said at least 21 people had lost their lives in the blaze, while more than 40 were rescued. Over 20 victims were brought to Max Hospital in Saket for treatment and identification.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and an investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
