Up to 21 people were killed in a hotel fire in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday, local media reported.

Over 35 people were rescued and later admitted to three different hospitals, a fire department official said.

There were some foreign nationals among the people who died or were injured in the fire, confirmed a doctor at a hospital where most victims were rushed to.

The official added that the fire initially broke out on the ground floor and spread quickly to the upper floors of the Micasa Inn hotel in the Malviya Nagar area.

Sources said the ill-fated hotel was built beyond the permitted limits.

"Only six rooms were allowed, but nearly 25 rooms were illegally built inside the multi-story building. There was no adequate exit from the hotel, and people ran up the stairs to save themselves. Victims were seen jumping out of the hotel building," said one eyewitness.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences at the loss of lives in a post on X.

xinhua