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Indian Hotel Fire Claims Nigerian Victim as Death Toll Rises to 22

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Promise Odejide

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A Nigerian national injured in the devastating fire that engulfed the Flourish Stays bed-and-breakfast facility in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar area of New Delhi, India, has died in hospital, raising the death toll from the incident to 22.

The victim reportedly succumbed to burn injuries on Saturday while receiving treatment at Safdarjung Hospital, according to Indian authorities.

Nigerian Victim Dies in Hospital

Police said the deceased, a middle-aged Nigerian man, had been staying at the facility for several days before the fire broke out.

He was initially rushed to a nearby hospital before being transferred to Safdarjung Hospital, where he later died from injuries sustained in the blaze.

Authorities confirmed that the Nigerian Embassy had been notified of the development.

The latest casualty increases the number of foreign nationals killed in the fire to 13.

Police Intensify Investigation

Delhi Police have continued investigations into the tragedy, with efforts focused on locating two key hotel officials, identified as accountant Jay Mishra and manager Rakesh, who remain at large.

Police have already arrested the hotel owner and the facility’s cook, Keshav Negi, in connection with the incident.

Investigators said three hotel employees were present when the fire broke out, including Negi, manager Rakesh and another staff member.

According to police findings, the fire allegedly started in the hotel kitchen after sparks were noticed in an air fryer.

Authorities claimed Negi fled the scene after noticing the malfunction instead of alerting occupants or contacting emergency responders.

Police said his actions formed part of the basis for his arrest.

Reconstruction of Incident Underway

On Sunday, officers took Negi back to the hotel to assist in reconstructing the sequence of events leading to the fire.

Investigators questioned him about how the fire started and his actions immediately afterward as they sought to establish accountability.

Uttarakhand Governor Intervenes

The arrest has attracted attention in Uttarakhand, where Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he had spoken with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta following claims by Negi’s family that he was innocent.

Dhami said Gupta assured him that the investigation would be guided strictly by evidence and that no innocent person would be punished.

He also revealed that he had spoken with Negi’s daughter and promised support for the family.

Negi, who lives in Dilshad Garden, East Delhi, with his wife and two children, had reportedly worked at the hotel for about two years before the incident.

 

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