Delhi Fire Death Toll Reaches 22; Nigerian National Among Latest Victims

A fire at an illegal bed-and-breakfast in Delhi's Hauz Rani has claimed 22 lives, with the latest fatality being a 39-year-old Nigerian man who succumbed to his injuries late Saturday. This brings the total number of foreign nationals killed in the blaze to 13.

Forty-nine guests were evacuated from the Flourish Stay B&B after the fire erupted Wednesday morning. Twenty-one were declared dead upon arrival at hospitals, while 28 others received treatment, with at least eight on ventilator support. Ten police personnel were also injured during rescue operations.

Investigators recreated the scene at the B&B with the arrested cook, Keshav Negi, 65. Negi, who was apprehended Saturday, claimed the fire started in the kitchen where he was cooking. However, his lawyer suggested an electrical short circuit elsewhere in the building caused the blaze.

Negi's interrogation revealed that at least five other staff members, including the manager Rupesh, fled the premises during the fire. Rupesh, a key suspect, remains at large. Another key accused, Jay Mishra, listed as the B&B owner on a government license, is also being sought. Police are conducting raids across multiple states to apprehend them, as their interrogation is crucial to determine violations and responsibility for the deadly incident.