Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited Max Hospital in Saket to meet victims of a deadly fire at the Flourish Stay B&B [1].
The incident underscores critical safety failures in the city's hospitality sector, as the blaze claimed numerous lives and involved multiple foreign citizens [2].
Officials said 21 people died in the fire [1]. Among the deceased were 18 foreign nationals [2]. The Ministry of External Affairs is currently in contact with the respective embassies to coordinate the aftermath of the tragedy [2].
During her visit to the hospital, the chief minister met with 17 injured patients receiving treatment [1]. The fire occurred at the Flourish Stay B&B, located in the Malviya Nagar area of South Delhi [1].
Authorities have arrested the owner of the guest house, identified as Lovkesh Bajaj [1]. Investigations into the property revealed that the establishment was operating without a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) [3].
Further reports indicate the guest house was operating at four times its approved capacity [3]. This overcrowding likely contributed to the high casualty count and hindered evacuation efforts during the emergency.
“21 people died in the fire”
The scale of this tragedy, particularly the high number of foreign casualties and the lack of a fire NOC, likely will trigger a city-wide crackdown on unauthorized guest houses and B&Bs in Delhi. The fact that the property exceeded its legal capacity by 400 percent suggests systemic failures in local municipal oversight and building code enforcement.
