A journey undertaken in the hope of saving a loved one’s life has ended in tragedy for a Bangladeshi family after a devastating hotel fire in New Delhi claimed the life of one family member and left four others critically injured.

Nurul Amin, 44, a businessman from Sangishwar village in Chiora Union of Chauddagram Upazila in Cumilla, died on Thursday while undergoing treatment for severe burn injuries sustained in a fire at a hotel in the Malviya Nagar area of the Indian capital. He is survived by his son and two daughters.

According to family members, the group had travelled to India on 2 June to seek advanced medical treatment for Nurul Amin’s brother-in-law, Mosharraf Hossain, who has been suffering from end-stage kidney disease after both of his kidneys failed. Doctors had advised a kidney transplant, prompting the family to travel to New Delhi, where preparations for the operation were underway at a private hospital.

The family had been staying at a residential hotel in South Delhi while medical arrangements were being completed. However, what was intended to be a life-saving medical trip turned into a catastrophe when a fire reportedly broke out in the building at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Witness accounts indicate that the flames spread rapidly through the multi-storey structure, causing panic among guests. At the time of the incident, Nurul Amin was having breakfast in the ground-floor restaurant, while other family members remained in their rooms. The swift spread of smoke and fire reportedly left many occupants with little opportunity to escape.

Emergency responders rescued five members of the family and rushed them to hospital with serious burn injuries. Despite intensive medical treatment, Nurul Amin later succumbed to his injuries. The remaining four victims continue to receive treatment in intensive care units, and their conditions are reported to be critical.

Bangladeshi Victims of the Fire

Family sources said that Nurul Amin owned a food-products manufacturing business based in Chattogram. News of his death has cast a pall of grief over his hometown, where relatives, neighbours and local residents have expressed profound sorrow. Many have called for the swift repatriation of his body so that funeral rites can be conducted in Bangladesh.

Officials in Chauddagram have stated that efforts are underway to maintain contact with the affected family. Local authorities have pledged administrative assistance and support in coordinating the return of the deceased’s remains.

The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has also been working closely with relevant Indian authorities to expedite repatriation procedures and monitor the medical treatment of the injured family members.

According to diplomatic and media reports, the building housed a restaurant on its lower floor, with residential accommodation operating on the upper levels. The blaze proved particularly deadly, with at least 22 people reported killed and 28 injured. Victims included citizens of India, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Liberia, Nigeria and Uzbekistan, making the incident one of the most serious hotel fires in Delhi in recent years.

Investigators have launched an inquiry into the cause of the fire. Authorities are examining whether the building complied with fire-safety regulations, assessing the condition of emergency exits, and reviewing the effectiveness of safety systems installed at the property. The findings of the final investigation report are expected to determine both the cause of the disaster and any potential accountability for the loss of life.