A massive fire engulfed a hotel in India, killing 21 people.

A police officer walks between security tape at the scene after a hotel fire in New Delhi, India, on June 3. Photo: Reuters.

Police said the fire occurred on June 3 in the Malviya Nagar area, south of New Delhi, India. The building involved in the fire housed a restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel operating on the upper floors, according to Al Jazeera.

Malviya Nagar is a residential area primarily inhabited by students and young workers, and boasts a high concentration of shops, restaurants, and budget hotels.

New Delhi police said the fire was brought under control with the help of eight fire engines. More than 40 people trapped inside the building were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and authorities are conducting an investigation. Images from the scene show firefighters continuously spraying water on the burning building, while thick black smoke billows from the windows.

Many people trapped inside were seen hanging from windows and repeatedly shouting for help as fire and toxic smoke rapidly spread throughout the building's floors.

Local residents also joined the rescue efforts, helping to evacuate trapped victims and bring some injured people to safety before ambulances arrived at the scene. Local media reported that among the victims were foreigners who had come to India for medical treatment.

New Delhi has long been one of the region's major medical tourism hubs, attracting a large number of international patients due to the relatively low cost of treatment. Many people often stay in budget hotels or rented apartments near hospitals while undergoing treatment.

Firefighters and police officers stand at the scene of a fire on June 3 in New Delhi, India. Photo: Reuters.

The office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Indian leader had sent his condolences to the families of the deceased victims through a message posted on the social media platform X.

The government also announced that each family with a deceased member will receive financial assistance worth 200,000 rupees (approximately $2,088 ).

Fires are a fairly common problem in India, where building regulations and fire safety standards are often not strictly enforced.

Factors such as cramped stairwells, obstructed emergency exits, outdated electrical systems, or a lack of fire safety equipment in older buildings and renovated commercial spaces are often the reasons why fires in densely populated cities like New Delhi cause serious casualties.

Source: https://znews.vn/bien-lua-thieu-rui-khach-san-o-an-do-21-nguoi-thiet-mang-post1656649.html