A devastating blaze at a South Delhi restaurant on Wednesday killed at least 20 people, including foreign nationals. Here is what we know and what is still unclear.
On the morning of Wednesday, June 3, 2026, a fire broke out at Lemon Green Restaurant, a multi-storey building in the Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar in South Delhi. The blaze started in the basement of the restaurant and quickly spread through the building. The Delhi Fire Service was alerted at approximately 9:45 am, and ten fire tenders were immediately rushed to the scene.
By the time the fire was brought under control, at least 20 people were dead and 37 others had been rescued from the building. Among those who died were foreign nationals, a detail that drew attention from politicians at the scene within hours of the tragedy.
Former AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, whose assembly constituency includes Hauz Rani, posted on X shortly after the fire saying the casualties were “majorly South African nationals.” He was present at the scene and was involved in rescue operations.
However, it is important to be clear: the identities of the victims have not yet been officially released by police. The nationality figures mentioned by Bharti are an early claim from a local politician not a confirmed statement from law enforcement or any government ministry. Verification will take time, as authorities first need to complete medical evaluations and official identification of all the bodies.
What is known is that the Hauz Rani and Malviya Nagar area of South Delhi is home to a significant number of African students and expats, many of whom live in paying guest accommodations and budget hotels above restaurants and shops in the neighbourhood. This is likely why foreign nationals were present in the building.
Former AAP MLA Somnath Bharti said the fire began due to a short circuit at around 8 am, with the blaze spreading from the kitchen to the upper floors of the adjoining hotel. Many people jumped from the building to save their lives as the fire raged. Fire personnel rescued three individuals from the restaurant’s basement in the initial stages and shifted them to a nearby hospital through CATS ambulances.
Republic World reported that one fire officer sustained injuries and another fell ill during the rescue operation, and authorities warned that the casualty figures could rise as search operations continued.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office expressed condolences to the families of the victims and announced financial aid from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each person killed, and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said he was deeply distressed and directed officials to ensure immediate medical assistance for the victims and a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also expressed grief and said that emergency agencies including Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, and CATS Ambulance Services were mobilised immediately after the incident was reported.
Police have said that a full investigation is underway. The cause of the fire, the final death toll, and the official identities and nationalities of all victims including the foreign nationals are expected to be confirmed in the coming hours and days.
For now, the families of those who lost their lives, both Indian and foreign, are waiting for answers.
This is a developing story. The death toll and details about the foreign nationals may change as official information is released. This article has been written only on facts confirmed by official sources and verified news agencies as of June 3, 2026.
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