Tragic Fire in Delhi Claims Lives of African Couple in Heartbreaking Circumstances
Heartbreaking Incident in Malviya Nagar
File image of firefighters battling the blaze in Delhi's Malviya Nagar. (Photo:PTI)
New Delhi, Jun 4: The phrase “till death do us part” took on a profound meaning for an African couple who tragically lost their lives together.
While undergoing IVF treatment at a hospital in Delhi, the couple was found deceased in each other's embrace, victims of the smoke inhalation that claimed 21 lives in the Malviya Nagar fire.
They were among the 12 foreign nationals who perished in the devastating blaze at the Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani, discovered in a bathroom on the ground floor, where they had sought refuge from the encroaching flames and smoke.
According to hospital staff and local residents, the couple had been residing at the facility while receiving fertility treatment nearby.
Wasim Raja, a duty officer at Max Smart Hospital and one of the first responders, described the scene as a poignant testament to love, surpassing even the Taj Mahal.
"When we managed to open the bathroom door, we encountered a sight that is indescribable. Throughout my career, I have seen many deceased individuals, but nothing compares to what I witnessed there," Raja recounted to reporters.
He noted that the woman, who had recently undergone a medical procedure and had a surgical mark on her head, was seated on the toilet while her husband sat beside her on a chair.
"They were holding each other tightly, her head resting on his shoulder," he added.
Raja mentioned that rescuers immediately checked for any signs of life and attempted resuscitation efforts.
"We assessed their pulse and veins, performed CPR, and employed every possible life-saving technique, but there was no response. They likely succumbed to smoke inhalation," he explained.
Even in their final moments, the couple seemed to find solace in each other's presence, he remarked.
"As death approached, they chose to confront it together, wrapped in each other's arms. It’s a scene that will remain etched in my memory forever," Raja stated.
The fire erupted on Wednesday morning, engulfing the five-storey hotel, resulting in 21 fatalities and numerous injuries.
Among the deceased were several foreign nationals from African and Central Asian nations who had come to Delhi for medical treatment, work, or business ventures.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with Delhi Police actively searching for the hotel manager who has gone into hiding and have issued a Look Out Circular for the building's owner and his spouse.
Lavkesh Bajaj, the owner of the hotel, was apprehended on Wednesday, just hours after the incident.
For the African couple, their journey ended in a tragedy that rescuers believe highlighted their unbreakable bond, even in death.