An African couple who travelled to India for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment were among more than a dozen people killed in a hotel fire tragedy in the Malviya Nagar area of south Delhi.

Reports said that the incident occurred on Wednesday when fire razed the five-storey Flourish Stay B&B hotel in Hauz Rani, where the couple, who have not been identified as of press time, were staying while under care at a nearby fertility clinic. 

According to India Today, the two victims were found in each other’s arms inside the bathroom of the affected building, where they seemed to have taken refuge in the middle of the choas. 

Twenty-one people reportedly lost their lives in the incident, including the couple and 10 other foreign nationals. Hospital staff and local residents confirmed that the couple were guests at the hotel. 

“We somehow managed to open the bathroom door and saw something that is beyond words to describe,” news agency PTI quoted Wasim Raja, a duty in-charge at Max Smart Hospital and one of the first responders at the scene, as saying. 

He added, “I have seen many dead bodies during my career, but nothing compares to what I saw there.”

Mr Raja further recounted that the woman, who he claimed appeared to have recently undergone medical treatment and had a surgical scar on her forehead, was discovered seated on the toilet, while her husband sat 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. 

“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,” he stated.

Meanwhile, authorities have launched a probe to unravel the cause of the fire. Investigations have allegedly found that the rooftop exit of the building was blocked and reviewing if the hotel was operating at approved capacity when the incident happened.

Additionally, India Today stated that Delhi Police had arrested the owner of the hotel Lavkesh Bajaj, while a manhunt was underway for the manager who was alleged to be on the run.