The hotel was located in Malviya Nagar in south Delhi, a predominantly residential area popular with students and young professionals.
Fire officials douse a fire at a hotel in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
NEW DELHI: At least 21 people were killed in a fire at a hotel in Delhi on Wednesday, police said, in one of the worst such incidents in the national capital in recent years.
The hotel was located in Malviya Nagar in south Delhi, they said, a predominantly residential area popular with students and young professionals. At least 40 people have been rescued so far, police said.
Television visuals showed a building on fire, smoke billowing out and charred exteriors as residents watched from a narrow lane nearby.
They also showed two people jumping from a higher floor of the building.
A girl reacts after being rescued from a hotel fire in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Local people rescue a foreign national from a hotel fire in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Firefighters rescue a foreign national from a hotel fire in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Local people rescue a foreign national from a hotel fire in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A foreign national woman shouts for help from a hotel window as fire engulfs the building in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A family of foreign nationals hangs from a hotel window as fire engulfs the building in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A family of foreign nationals hangs from a hotel window as fire engulfs the building in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
An exhausted local catches his breath after helping firefighters to douse a fire in a hotel in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Firefighters douse a fire in a hotel in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Local people rescue a foreign national from a hotel fire in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Local people attempt to douse a fire at a hotel in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Locals and bystanders run for cover as a hotel fire spreads following electrical sparks in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Firefighters try to douse a fire at a hotel in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Firefighters and locals help in rescue effort of trapped people in a hotel fire in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
“There was reportedly a restaurant operating on the ground floor of the building … it is most likely that the fire was connected to that restaurant,” local administration official Jitendra Kumar told reporters.
Locals and bystanders watch a hotel fire as firefighters work to douse the flames in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the loss of lives was tragic and extended his heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.