A fire in a commercial building in Delhi has killed 21 foreign nationals, prompting renewed scrutiny of India's building safety regulations. The blaze broke out in the early hours of Tuesday in a multi-storey structure in the Karol Bagh area, a densely packed commercial and residential district. According to officials, the victims included nationals from several countries, though exact nationalities have not yet been confirmed.
The fire is believed to have started on the ground floor before spreading rapidly through the building, which reportedly lacked adequate fire exits and emergency equipment. Local authorities have launched an investigation, and the building's owner has been detained. The incident has reignited debate over India's enforcement of safety codes, particularly in older buildings.
In 2022, a similar fire in a Delhi factory killed 43 people, leading to promises of stricter enforcement. Experts argue that rapid urbanisation and corruption have left many structures unsafe. The foreign minister has expressed condolences to affected nations.
This tragedy underscores the risks posed by lax safety standards in a country where building fires remain common.
