Identifying the Victims: Relative Confirms Death of Liberian National in Malviya Nagar Hotel Fire

A grieving relative has formally identified a 61-year-old Liberian woman who lost her life in the devastating blaze that swept through a hotel in south Delhi.

The tragic toll of the recent hotel fire in Malviya Nagar continues to emerge as families and authorities work through the grim process of identification. On Thursday, the remains of Janjay N Roland, a 61-year-old Liberian national, were identified at the AIIMS mortuary. The identification was completed by a family member after the victim's husband, who is currently receiving medical care for injuries sustained during the incident, was deemed unfit to undergo the process himself.

A Family’s Search for Closure

Maria, a relative residing in Dehradun, stepped forward to assist after receiving a distressing phone call from the victim’s husband, who remains admitted at Max Hospital. "My aunt and her husband were staying here. I was supposed to meet her later this week, but this happened before that," Maria said, reflecting on the sudden loss. The family is now working closely with the Liberian embassy to facilitate the repatriation of her remains, hoping to bring her home following the tragedy.

The fire, which erupted on Wednesday morning, turned a routine visit to the national capital into a catastrophe. Investigators noted that several foreign nationals were staying at the hotel, many of whom had traveled to Delhi specifically for medical purposes, including IVF treatments. Two such couples were caught in the blaze; in one instance, a wife died while her husband was hospitalized, and in the second, both survived but suffered severe, life-altering injuries.

Investigation into Safety Lapses

As the area remains cordoned off, forensic teams and local police continue to scour the site to determine the precise cause of the fire. The scale of the tragedy, which claimed 21 lives in total—including 12 foreign nationals—has led to heightened scrutiny regarding safety regulations. Delhi Police have since taken the hotel owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, into custody to probe allegations of negligence and potential building code violations.

Authorities confirmed that they have completed DNA profiling for the foreign victims, with the full cooperation of various embassies. The Delhi Police have compiled a list of the deceased and are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the dignified return of the victims to their respective countries, which include Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Mozambique, alongside Liberia.

For the residents of the quiet lanes of Malviya Nagar, the event has been deeply traumatic. Witnesses described a scene of overwhelming panic as thick smoke filled the multi-storey structure, forcing guests to flee for their lives. While rescue teams successfully evacuated 47 individuals, the ongoing medical treatment of 26 survivors serves as a somber reminder of the fire’s lasting impact on the lives of those who visited the city seeking hope and health.