Five Bangladeshi citizens injured in Delhi hotel fire

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday, June 3, said so far five Bangladeshi nationals could be found as injured due to a fire that swept through a building in a New Delhi, killing at least 21 people and injuring several others.

“So far five Bangladeshi nationals could be traced as injured. Three are receiving treatment in Max Hospital in Saket; and two more are receiving treatment at Safdarjung Hospital,” said the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

According to BBC, many of the victims were foreign nationals from South Asian countries who had travelled to India for medical treatment or to accompany relatives undergoing care.

The building allegedly operated as a bed-and-breakfast catering to patients and relatives of those receiving treatment at a nearby private hospital.

More than 40 people were rescued and taken to hospital. It remains unclear how many people were inside the building in Malviya Nagar locality when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Firefighters have brought the blaze under control, while rescue operations are continuing at the site.

"The fire was brought under control quite early on - it was contained very quickly. We have now cleared the building and opened it up for the police," fire officer AK Malik said.

Delhi minister Ashish Sood said authorities were investigating whether the building had the necessary permissions to operate as a bed-and-breakfast facility, adding that those found responsible for any violations would face criminal action.

According to media reports, most guests were asleep when the fire broke out, making evacuation more difficult.

Witnesses said the fire spread rapidly, trapping people on upper floors. Bystanders helped some escape before emergency crews arrived.
Sher Khan, who lives nearby, described scenes of panic as people trapped on the upper floors cried out for help.

Fires are common in India, where building safety laws are often poorly enforced.