New Delhi, June 4: A devastating fire in Malviya Nagar has claimed the lives of 21 individuals, with many others receiving treatment in various hospitals. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, particularly targeting the ruling BJP government. Local residents believe that if firefighters had arrived sooner, the death toll could have been lower.
Former Congress MLA Yoganan Shastri spoke about the tragedy, noting that many patients from abroad, especially from Afghanistan, Iran, and African nations, come to Max Hospital for treatment. These visitors often explore Delhi’s tourist attractions, including the Taj Mahal in Agra, during their extended stays.
Shastri attributed the fire to rampant greed among locals. He pointed out that rental prices for rooms have skyrocketed from ₹500 to ₹2,000–2,500, which he believes contributed to the incident.
He questioned who should be held accountable, stating that society as a whole, including politicians from all parties, share the blame. He lamented the decline of humanity, compassion, and brotherhood, recalling a time when people united to help one another during crises. However, he acknowledged that local residents did step up to assist during this tragedy.
Devendra Yadav, president of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and injuries. He highlighted that this is not the first such incident in Delhi; it marks the fourth fire in three months, showcasing the corruption and collusion of the BJP-led municipal corporation and police, which has resulted in loss of life without any accountability from the Delhi government.
Yadav emphasized that the fire department and municipal officials are directly responsible for the horrific incident, as illegal commercial activities were likely taking place under their watch. He criticized the government for its failure and corruption, which he claims leads to unnecessary deaths, while the BJP remains indifferent.
On the other hand, Shubham Kumar, who traveled from Ludhiana, shared that his distant relatives are hospitalized at Max Hospital. They came to Delhi for a ten-day treatment, staying on the third floor where the fire broke out. He expressed concern over the rising hospital bills and urged the government to provide compensation.
Ejaz Ahmed, coordinator of the South District CATs department, reported that 13 to 14 ambulances were dispatched immediately upon receiving the alert. He stated that the ambulances arrived within 2 to 3 minutes, ensuring that as many patients as possible were transported to hospitals. He noted that some patients were in critical condition, and only the hospital administration could provide details about the deceased.
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