African IVF couple die in each other’s arms in Delhi hotel fire

An African couple undergoing IVF treatment in Delhi were found dead in each other's arms after a massive fire tore through the Flourish Stay B&B in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar, killing 21 people on June 3. The couple, who had travelled to the city hoping to start a family, are believed to have died from smoke inhalation after taking shelter inside a bathroom as flames engulfed the building.

The couple were among 12 foreign nationals who lost their lives in the blaze. They had been staying at the hotel while receiving fertility treatment at a nearby hospital and were hoping to start a family, according to people familiar with their visits to the area.

Rescue teams found the couple inside a ground-floor bathroom, where they are believed to have sought refuge as thick smoke and flames rapidly engulfed the five-storey building.

Hospital personnel and local residents said the couple were regular visitors to the neighbourhood because of their ongoing treatment.

Wasim Raja, duty in-charge at Max Smart Hospital and one of the first responders at the scene, described the discovery as one of the most emotional moments of his career.

"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 told PTI.

According to Raja, the woman appeared to have recently undergone a medical procedure and had a visible surgical mark. She was seated on a toilet seat, while her husband was sitting 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.

Rescuers immediately checked for signs of life and attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but the couple could not be revived.

"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," Raja said.

He said the scene reflected the bond the couple shared even in their final moments.

"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," he added.

Local cab operator Ikrar, who lives near the hotel, said drivers in the area frequently transported the couple to and from the nearby hospital.

"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 June 3 when a major fire broke out inside the hotel, trapping guests and staff. Several victims were foreign nationals from African and Central Asian countries who were staying in Delhi for medical treatment, business or work-related purposes.

Police arrested building owner Lavkesh Bajaj within hours of the incident. Preliminary investigations have revealed multiple alleged safety violations, including a blocked rooftop exit and the use of cooking heaters inside guest rooms.

Authorities have also found that the establishment was permitted to operate only six rooms but was allegedly running around 25 rooms at the time of the fire.

According to police sources, initial findings indicate that the blaze may have originated from an electrical short circuit. Investigators have ruled out the possibility of an LPG cylinder explosion.

Officials believe the intensity and spread of the fire point towards an electrical fault in the building's internal wiring. They said concealed wiring failures can trigger fires that spread rapidly across multiple sections of a structure, making evacuation extremely difficult.