A massive explosion outside Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening left at least eight people dead and over a dozen injured, turning one of the capital’s busiest tourist zones into a scene of chaos and devastation.
For many who witnessed the explosion, the evening turned into a nightmare. “I never heard such a loud explosion in my life. I fell three times because of the impact, it felt as if we were all going to die,” a local shopkeeper told ANI.
Another witness described a grisly scene moments after the blast. “We saw body parts scattered on the road. No one could understand what had happened,” he said, adding that several parked cars were also damaged in the inferno.
A resident, Rajdhar Pandey, told ANI that he saw flames from his terrace before rushing downstairs. “There was a loud explosion. Windows and doors in nearby houses shook. It was terrifying,” he said.
The blast, which originated from a car near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila (Red Fort) Metro Station, triggered a fire that engulfed several nearby vehicles. Delhi Fire Services (DFS) confirmed that seven fire tenders were dispatched to the spot around 7 p.m., and the blaze was brought under control within half an hour. The area has since been cordoned off, and a citywide security alert has been issued.
Doctors at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital later confirmed that eight people had died and at least twelve others sustained injuries. Several victims were said to be in critical condition.
One man, still trembling as he spoke to NDTV, recounted the moment the car exploded. “One person’s body was torn to pieces. I saw a hand on the road right in front of me. I can’t describe it, it was horrific,” he said, clutching his chest as he recalled the blast.
Another witness said the force of the explosion was so powerful that it shattered glass in nearby shops and homes. “The shockwave hit us even from a distance,” he added.
Zeeshan, an auto-rickshaw driver injured in the incident, told PTI that he had been driving just two feet behind the vehicle that exploded. “It was a Swift Dzire car. I don’t know if there was a bomb inside, but suddenly it blew up,” he said from his hospital bed.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer A.K. Malik confirmed that the fire services received an emergency call around 7 p.m. reporting “a blast in a car near Chandni Chowk Metro Station.” “Seven units were sent immediately, and the fire was brought under control by 7:29 p.m.,” he said.
Police have cordoned off the blast site and diverted traffic from surrounding areas of Old Delhi, including Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, and Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib. Forensic teams have begun examining car fragments and other debris to determine the nature of the explosion.
Nearly a dozen ambulances were deployed to evacuate the injured to nearby hospitals, while rescue personnel continued to douse smouldering vehicles late into the evening.
In the wake of the explosion, security agencies across northern India have been put on alert. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have stepped up surveillance at sensitive locations, including religious sites and border areas.
Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said instructions had been issued to senior officers across the state to enhance patrols and intensify checks.
Visuals from the site show mangled cars, shattered glass, and thick smoke rising against the backdrop of the Red Fort’s walls. The explosion occurred barely a kilometre from Jama Masjid and a few hundred metres from the Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, both crowded landmarks frequented by tourists and devotees. As investigations continue, the Delhi Police Special Cell is probing whether the explosion was accidental or deliberate. The cause of the blast remains unconfirmed.
