Delhi/IBNS, June 3 -- At least 21 people lost their lives, and more than 40 others were rescued after a major fire engulfed a hotel building in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Tuesday morning.

Several of the victims were reportedly foreign nationals who had travelled to the national capital for medical treatment.

The blaze broke out at around 8:50 am at Flourish Stay, a bed-and-breakfast facility located in the Hauz Rani area near Saket.

According to officials, the fire originated in the restaurant operating in the basement of the five-storey building before rapidly spreading through the premises and later affecting the adjacent Micasa Inn hotel.

Emergency services launched a large-scale rescue operation as thick smoke and flames engul...