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.