On Monday, an explosion in a car near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station sent shockwaves through one of Delhi’s busiest heritage zones. The Delhi Fire Department reported that the blast triggered a fire that spread to nearby vehicles, damaging at least three to four cars.
The explosion reportedly claimed eight and injured twenty-three, per the Indian Express and the Hindustan Times. Following the explosion police sounded a high alert in Delhi. Seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot with police cordoning off the area, the Delhi Fire Services said.
The blast was so powerful that it shattered the windows of vehicles parked several metres away and was heard in nearby buildings of the congested area.
"The blast occurred in a car parked near the Red Fort metro station gate number 1. The intensity was quite high. Injuries are feared," said a senior official of the Delhi Fire Service.
“A call was received regarding an explosion in a car near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, after which three to four vehicles also caught fire and sustained damage,” the Delhi Fire Department (DFS) said in a statement.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha told ANI, "Today at around 6.52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here... Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored. The Home Minister has also called us, and information is being shared with him from time to time."
Eyewitnesses reported a loud blast followed by plumes of smoke that quickly engulfed the area. Within minutes, seven fire tenders were dispatched to the site after the DFS received the distress call at 7:05 PM. However, no metro services were disrupted following the blast, a Delhi Metro spokesperson noted.
Firefighters worked swiftly to control the flames, and by late evening, officials confirmed that the fire has been dealt with, and the rest of the cooling work is in progress.
Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Union HM Amit Shah about the Red Fort blast and took an update on the situation.
