New Delhi: The death toll in the devastating fire at a hotel in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar has risen to 22 after a Nigerian national who had sustained critical burn injuries in the incident succumbed during treatment, police said on Sunday.
The fire broke out at Flourish Stays B&B in the Hauz Rani area on Wednesday morning, claiming 21 lives, including that of a 16-year-old girl and several foreign nationals from Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Iraq, Congo, Mozambique and Liberia.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal, the injured foreign national died late on Saturday night while undergoing treatment at a Delhi hospital.
The deceased was identified as Okale, a Nigerian citizen who had suffered severe burn injuries in the blaze. He was initially admitted to Max Hospital but was later shifted to the burn ward of Safdarjung Hospital after his condition worsened.
Despite continuous medical supervision and ventilator support, Okale remained in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. Police said the body has been sent for post-mortem examination.
With his death, the toll in one of the deadliest fire tragedies reported in the national capital in recent years has climbed to 22.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has intensified its investigation into the incident. The hotel's owner and a cook employed at the establishment have been arrested, with investigators alleging that negligence may have contributed to the outbreak of the fire.
According to police sources, preliminary findings suggest that the cook's actions may have played a role in triggering the blaze. Investigators are currently examining the sequence of events leading to the incident and questioning several individuals associated with the hotel.
Police had earlier arrested hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and booked him on charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The investigation is focusing on alleged fire safety violations, unauthorised construction and expansion of rooms, and lapses in emergency preparedness.
According to the FIR registered by Malviya Nagar Police, the hotel was operating 25 rooms despite having permission for only six.
Authorities have also identified serious deficiencies in ventilation and emergency response arrangements at the premises. Investigators found that the basement entrance was locked when rescue teams arrived, forcing firefighters to break open the door to carry out rescue operations.
Police teams are continuing efforts to trace Jay Mishra, an associate of the hotel owner, who has been absconding since the incident.
The probe into the cause of the fire and alleged safety violations remains ongoing.
With PTI inputs