Indian police arrest hotel owner after deadly fire

Authorities have arrested the owner of a New Delhi hotel following a deadly fire that claimed the lives of 21 people. Lavkesh Bajaj, the owner of the Flourish Stay hotel, was taken into custody late on June 3, as investigations into safety lapses intensify.

The blaze gutted the hotel in a densely populated area of the city, resulting in the deaths of at least nine Indians and several foreign nationals. Among the identified foreign victims are citizens of Liberia and Mozambique. Survivors recounted harrowing scenes, with individuals trapped on upper floors leaping onto mattresses below to escape the flames, while others were hospitalized with severe burns and fractures.

This tragedy underscores a persistent problem in India, where building fires are frequent occurrences. Factors contributing to these disasters often include a lack of essential firefighting equipment and a widespread disregard for established safety regulations. In a separate incident on the morning of June 4, at least four people died in a hospital intensive care ward in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, further highlighting critical safety concerns.