Delhi Fire Tragedy: Authorities reveal Full casualty list of Malviya Nagar inferno; local 'Angels' identified

New Delhi: The lack of public safety measures leading to major tragedies continues to shock the country at regular intervals. The national capital has endured a host of tragic incidents over the years, the latest of which hit on Wednesday morning. A massive fire broke out on Wednesday morning at 'Flourish Stay Bed and Breakfast' - a five-story hotel situated in Hauz Rani, a narrow lane within Delhi's Malviya Nagar area - claiming the lives of at least 21 people. Among the deceased were foreign nationals who had accompanied their ailing relatives to India for medical treatment.

What do we know about the tragedy?

Following the tragedy, statistics regarding the patients admitted to various hospitals have also emerged. According to these figures, a total of 58 individuals—comprising both Indian and foreign nationals—were affected by the incident. Of these, 21 have died (11 foreign nationals and 10 Indians), while 35 remain hospitalized, with 19 patients reported to be in critical condition. Meanwhile, two foreign nationals were discharged after receiving first aid. Images of the "angels" who risked their own lives to save others during the incident have also surfaced.

Following the accident, 13 patients were brought to the AIIMS Trauma Centre; this group included 10 Delhi Police personnel and three Bangladeshi nationals. Among the latter, one Bangladeshi woman (Riyana) has been placed on ventilator support, while the other two men (Md. Shahidul Islam and Armin Zaman) are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. The condition of all three foreign nationals remains critical. Additionally, three patients were brought to the AIIMS Burn Unit—two foreign nationals and one Indian citizen. All three patients subsequently succumbed to their injuries.

Two patients were referred to the Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital—one Indian national and one foreign national—and both are currently undergoing treatment there. A total of 19 patients were brought to Max Super Speciality Hospital; among them, three foreign nationals and five Indian nationals were already deceased upon arrival. Four foreign nationals were brought in with injuries. Of the remaining seven injured individuals, two foreign nationals are on ventilator support and are in a critical state, while the condition of three other foreign nationals and two Indian nationals is also reported to be serious.

Additionally, 19 patients were brought to Max Smart Hospital; among them, 6 foreign nationals and 4 Indian citizens had already succumbed to their injuries. Of the remaining 9 foreign patients, six have been placed on ventilators and are in critical condition. These six foreign nationals include 2 from Bangladesh, 2 from Cameroon, and 2 from Libya. Another foreign national is also in serious condition, although they are not on a ventilator. Meanwhile, two Nepali citizens were discharged from the hospital after receiving primary treatment. Two patients were sent to Safdarjung Hospital—one foreign national and one Indian citizen—and the condition of both remains extremely critical. Of these two, the foreign national has been placed on a ventilator.

How did locals respond?

Following the fire at this hotel in Malviya Nagar, local residents made valiant efforts to save the lives of those trapped inside. During the incident, they laid mattresses on the road and urged people to jump; simultaneously, they caught those leaping from the building, thereby saving their lives. Local youths gathered mattresses from the neighborhood and spread them across the road. Furthermore, upon the arrival of the police and fire brigade personnel, these youths assisted them in the rescue operations. These youths, who acted as angels to save lives, have been identified as Aamir Khan, Mohammad Shoaib, Waseem Raja, and Mohammad Afzal.

What did the Delhi Police say?

Police officials stated that, under the Delhi government's 'Bed and Breakfast' policy, the hotel was authorized to operate only six rooms; however, it was utilizing 25 rooms. Additional rooms had also been constructed in the basement. Police officials further revealed that the hotel had only a single entry and exit point, which was locked at the time of the incident. Consequently, those trapped inside were unable to escape. The police added that an investigation regarding the Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) is currently underway. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.