A powerful explosion tore through central Delhi on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring more than a dozen others near the Red Fort Metro Station. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed deep shock and grief over the devastating explosion.
The explosion, which occurred outside Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila (Red Fort) Metro Station around 6:52 p.m., ripped through a slow-moving car and triggered a massive fire that engulfed several vehicles in the area. The blast has prompted a nationwide security alert and drawn strong reactions from political leaders across the country.
Taking to social media platform X, Mamata Banerjee wrote, “Deeply shocked to hear about the tragic blast in New Delhi. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones and I pray for strength and a swift recovery for all those injured.”
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also voiced concern over the explosion, calling it “extremely alarming” and demanding an immediate and thorough investigation. “The news of the explosion near the Red Fort is extremely alarming. It is reported that some people have also lost their lives in it, which is extremely tragic. The police and government should immediately investigate how this explosion occurred and whether there is any larger conspiracy behind it. Negligence regarding Delhi’s security cannot be tolerated,” he said in a post on X.
According to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, the explosion took place in a car that had halted near a red light close to the metro station. “The blast occurred in a slow-moving car and caused a fire that spread to several other vehicles,” he told reporters.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden, deafening explosion followed by chaos and panic as thick smoke billowed through the streets. “We saw a huge fireball rise into the air; cars were burning, people were screaming,” said a local resident.
Chilling visuals from the scene showed charred vehicles, mangled metal, and shattered glass scattered across the road. The force of the explosion was so powerful that it shattered windows in nearby shops and homes.
Authorities said the first call about the explosion was received at 7 p.m. Fifteen fire engines and multiple ambulances were immediately dispatched to the site, with firefighters managing to bring the blaze under control within half an hour.
Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the National Security Guard (NSG), the Delhi Police Crime Branch, and other specialised units have reached the spot to conduct forensic analysis and ascertain the cause of the blast.
The injured have been shifted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, where several are reported to be in critical condition. Doctors confirmed that at least eight victims were brought dead, while a dozen others suffered severe burns and trauma injuries.
The explosion has triggered heightened security measures not only in Delhi but also across other major states. Officials confirmed that Kolkata, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have all been placed on high alert.
Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said police forces across the state have been directed to step up patrols and increase checks at sensitive sites, including religious places and border districts.
While the cause of the explosion is yet to be confirmed, senior officials said all possibilities, including a potential terror link, are being investigated. Forensic teams are examining fragments of the exploded vehicle, identified by witnesses as a mid-sized car with passengers inside moments before the blast.
The Red Fort and its adjoining neighbourhoods in Old Delhi, among the most crowded and historically significant parts of the capital, have been sealed off. Traffic diversions have been implemented, and public movement near Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, and Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib remains restricted.
