Delhi's Malviya Nagar hotel fire kills 21, including dozens of foreign nationals

A massive fire broke out on the morning of June 3 2026 at the Flourish Stay bed‑and‑breakfast in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area. The blaze engulfed the five‑storey building, trapping occupants and forcing many to jump from upper floors onto mattresses placed by nearby residents. At least 21 people died, including a large number of foreign nationals – reports cite 13‑18 victims from countries such as Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Liberia, Uzbekistan and Iraq. More than 40 people were rescued and dozens were taken to hospitals, with several patients placed on ventilators.

Police arrested the owner, Lovkesh Bajaj, after discovering that the property had been illegally expanded from the six rooms permitted under the Bed‑and‑Breakfast scheme to about 25 rooms, and that the operating licence had been obtained in the name of his accountant. Investigators say the building lacked a fire‑safety NOC, had only a single staircase and locked windows, and a preliminary investigation points to a possible short‑circuit in the air‑conditioning system as the cause.

The Delhi government announced a city‑wide crackdown on illegal guest‑house operations, promising to seal non‑compliant premises and prosecute responsible parties. An ex‑gratia payment of ₹10 lakh was offered to the families of the deceased, and the Ministry of External Affairs said it was in touch with the embassies of the foreign victims. Local residents, including five Muslim men who repeatedly entered the burning building, were praised for their rescue efforts.