An African couple undergoing IVF treatment at a Delhi hospital were among the 21 people killed in the Malviya Nagar hotel fire, with rescuers finding them dead in each other’s arms inside a bathroom where they had apparently taken shelter from the smoke and flames.
The couple, among the 12 foreign nationals who died in Wednesday’s blaze at the Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani, were discovered on the ground floor of the hotel as rescue teams searched the smoke-filled building. Hospital staff and local residents familiar with the couple said they had been staying at the facility while receiving fertility treatment at a nearby hospital.
Speaking to PTI, Wasim Raja, a duty in-charge at Max Smart Hospital who was among the first responders, described the scene as one that left a lasting impression on him.
“We somehow managed to open the bathroom door and saw something that is beyond words to describe. I have seen many dead bodies during my career, but nothing compares to what I saw there,” Raja said. According to him, the woman, who appeared to have recently undergone a medical procedure and bore a surgery mark on her head, was seated on the toilet seat while her husband sat beside her on a chair.
“They were holding each other. Their arms were wrapped around one another and her head was resting on his shoulder,” he said.
Raja said rescuers immediately checked for signs of life and attempted to revive the couple.
“We checked their pulse and veins and tried CPR and every possible life-saving measure, but there was no response. They had most likely succumbed to smoke inhalation,” he said.
Even in their final moments, the couple appeared to have sought comfort in each other’s presence, he added.
“When death was approaching, they chose to face it together in each other’s arms. It was a scene that will stay with me forever.”
A local cab operator, Ikrar, who lives near the hotel, said several drivers in the area knew the couple as they frequently travelled to and from the hospital for treatment.
“They were undergoing IVF treatment. Drivers from our locality would often ferry them to the hospital and back. They had come here with hope of starting a family,” he said.
The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday morning when a massive fire swept through the five-storey hotel, killing 21 people and injuring several others. Most of the victims were medical tourists or attendants staying close to hospitals in the Saket area.
Investigators probing the incident have since uncovered a series of alleged safety violations. Police said the building’s rooftop exit was blocked and cooking heaters were being used in multiple guest rooms. Authorities have also alleged large-scale irregularities in the operation of the establishment, which was licensed to operate only six rooms but was allegedly running around 25.
This is an incredibly heartbreaking tragedy. Reading about a couple who traveled so far with a shared dream of starting a family, only to have their lives cut short in such a devastating way, is deeply moving. It is a poignant, painful reminder of how fragile life can be, even as it underscores the profound depth of their bond—truly remaining together until the very end.
Such incidents also highlight the critical, real-world importance of strict fire safety compliance and infrastructure standards, especially in commercial hubs and hospitality spaces that host international travelers.
If there is a specific aspect of this news story you are looking to understand better—such as the details of the incident, the safety investigations that followed, or information on emergency protocols—please let me know how I can help you find those details.
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