Foreign nationals among at least 21 killed in Delhi fire

At least 21 people have been killed and several others injured after a fire tore through a multi-storey building in India's capital Delhi, police say.

Many of the victims were foreign nationals from South Asian countries who had travelled to India for medical treatment or to accompany relatives undergoing care, local media reported.

The building allegedly operated as a bed-and-breakfast catering to patients and relatives of those receiving treatment at a nearby private hospital.

More than 40 people were rescued and taken to hospital. It remains unclear how many people were inside the building in Malviya Nagar locality when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Firefighters have brought the blaze under control, while rescue operations are continuing at the site.

"The fire was brought under control quite early on - it was contained very quickly. We have now cleared the building and opened it up for the police," fire officer AK Malik said.

Delhi minister Ashish Sood said authorities were investigating whether the building had the necessary permissions to operate as a bed-and-breakfast facility, adding that those found responsible for any violations would face criminal action.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,088; £1,552) for the families of those killed and 50,000 rupees for those injured.