A devastating fire broke out early Monday morning at a restaurant in the Malviya Nagar area of New Delhi, India, claiming 21 lives, including 18 foreign nationals from Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Liberia. Over 40 others were injured and taken to local hospitals. The restaurant, located near a medical center, also provided accommodation for patients and their families. According to sources, the establishment was only licensed to operate six rooms but had 25 rooms occupied at the time, indicating severe overcrowding. The restaurant owner is currently at large, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Indian President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences to the victims' families on social media. The Chinese Embassy in India confirmed to Xinhua that no Chinese citizens were among the casualties. This tragedy highlights the critical issue of safety violations in overcrowded accommodations, a recurring problem in India's urban centers.
