Delhi hotel inferno: 50-60 mobile phones, 30 passports recovered from burnt Malviya Nagar B&B facility

NEW DELHI: Several safety failures have emerged during the investigation into the fire of Delhi’s Malviya Nagar hotel that killed 21 people with preliminary findings suggesting that most victims died from suffocation and smoke inhalation rather than burn injuries, according to news agency ANI.During a detailed search of the building, police recovered around 50 to 60 mobile phones and nearly 30 passports from different rooms.The rooms remained extremely hot even after the fire was extinguished, highlighting the intensity of the blaze and the extent to which heat and smoke had spread through the building, according to news agency ANI.So far, investigators have identified five of the deceased, while efforts are continuing to establish the identities of the remaining victims.Post-mortem examinations are being conducted in all cases.According to police, most of the bodies showed limited burn injuries, with initial findings indicating that smoke inhalation and suffocation were the primary causes of death.Investigators found that many of the foreign nationals staying at the guest house had travelled to India on medical visas.The establishment hosted around 80 foreign guests every month. As required, details of foreign visitors were submitted to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) through C-Forms, and the information was also reflected in Delhi Police records, according to news agency ANI.The probe has uncovered several shortcomings in the building’s safety arrangements. Officials found that all windows and glass panels were sealed, preventing smoke from escaping during the fire.Investigators also discovered that the entrance to the basement was locked. It reportedly took rescuers about 10 minutes to gain access, as the door was locked from inside. Six to seven people were later rescued from the basement.Rescue teams also encountered an iron mesh barrier, about two-and-a-half feet high, along the basement access route. Officials said it took nearly 10 minutes to cut through the obstruction before evacuation efforts could continue.The building lacked proper ventilation and did not have an emergency exit. These deficiencies allowed smoke to spread quickly through the structure, trapping occupants and making rescue operations more difficult, according to news agency ANI.