NEW DELHI, June 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 18 foreign nationals were killed in a fire that broke out at a hotel in New Delhi, India, local media reported.

According to the report, the deceased foreign nationals were from Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique and Liberia. The total death toll of the fire currently stands at 21, with more than 40 taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

In a post on social media platform X, Indian President Droupadi Murmu offered condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Sources said that the hotel is close to one of New Delhi's top medical centers, with most guests at the hotel either seeking treatment or attending patients admitted to the hospital.

It was also learnt that under the license granted, the hotel was only allowed to have six rooms, whereas it was reportedly operating 25 rooms at the time of the incident.■