- A devastating fire at the Flourish Stay hotel in Delhi 's Malviya Nagar area resulted in the deaths of 21 people, including 12 foreign nationals who were reportedly in India for medical treatment.
- The fire, which started in a basement restaurant on Wednesday, rapidly spread through the five-storey building, leading to survivors jumping from higher floors to escape the blaze.
- The Delhi government has initiated a crackdown on properties violating fire safety regulations, with the hotel owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, being detained for operating 26 rooms, significantly exceeding the permissible limit, and lacking a crucial fire department no-objection certificate.
- Locals and opposition leaders have criticised the fire department for an alleged slow response, claiming vehicles arrived almost an hour late despite a nearby fire station, though the department refutes these claims, stating they dispatched eight tenders promptly.
- India's foreign minister is in contact with relevant embassies to provide assistance, and the Delhi government has announced a compensation of Rs1m for the families of each deceased victim.
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