According to preliminary information, the property was linked to businessman Lokesh Bajaj and his partners, who reportedly operate multiple hotels and guest houses in the area.

Majority of Victims Believed to Be Foreign Nationals

Authorities have indicated that many of those who lost their lives were citizens of African countries. The scale of the tragedy has raised serious concerns about safety standards and emergency preparedness in commercial accommodation facilities.

Reports also suggest that a paying guest (PG) facility was being operated on the building’s rooftop.

Hospital Receives 39 Victims

Dr. Sandeep Budhiraja, Group Medical Director at Max Hospital, stated that 39 people affected by the incident were brought to the hospital for treatment.

Among them:

• 18 victims were brought dead.
• 8 patients remain on ventilator support.
• 5 patients were in stable condition and have been discharged.
• Several injured individuals suffered fractures after jumping from the building to escape the flames.

Doctors said some victims sustained broken arms and legs, while others remain in critical condition.

Questions Raised Over Fire Safety Compliance

The incident has also triggered concerns regarding fire safety regulations. Initial reports indicate that the hotel did not possess a valid fire No Objection Certificate (NOC), a mandatory requirement for such establishments.

Investigators are expected to examine whether negligence or safety violations contributed to the scale of the disaster.

Eyewitnesses Recount Terrifying Moments

People present near the scene described desperate attempts by occupants to save themselves as thick smoke and flames spread through the building.

Om, who was passing by on a scooter with a friend around 9:30 a.m., said he witnessed people breaking windows and jumping from upper floors.

“The entire building was engulfed in flames. I saw several people smashing window glass and jumping out. One man landed badly and appeared to suffer a severe leg injury. Soon after, fire engines began arriving and the entire area was sealed off,” he recalled.

Residents Used Mattresses to Help People Escape

Another eyewitness, Sher Khan, said the fire appeared relatively small at first but intensified rapidly.

According to him, people trapped inside struggled to find a safe exit route. Local residents placed mattresses on the road in an attempt to cushion the fall of those forced to jump.

“A woman carrying a small child jumped from the third floor. She later said her leg had been fractured. One after another, people started jumping from the building as the situation became uncontrollable,” he said.

Officials are now investigating the cause of the fire, the building’s safety compliance, and whether adequate emergency measures were in place. The tragedy has once again highlighted the risks associated with overcrowded commercial buildings and the importance of strict enforcement of fire safety norms.

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