A powerful blast in a parked car near Gate No.1 of the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi on Monday evening killed at least eight people and injured more than two dozen. Witnesses described scenes of fire, destruction, as authorities rushed to cordon off the area and begin investigations.
Devastating explosion shakes Old Delhi, cars caught fire
The explosion occurred just after 6:50 pm outside Gate No.1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, in the heart of Old Delhi, a densely populated market-and-tourist area.
A parked car reportedly exploded, triggering a blaze that spread to three to four nearby vehicles.
Eyewitnesses were left traumatised. According to an ANI report, one local, Rajdhar Pandey, said: “I saw the flames from my house and then came down to see what had happened.”
“There was a loud explosion, my windows shook… I live nearby,” Pandey continued.
Another said: “When we came near, we saw body parts spread on the road. No one could figure out what happened. Several cars have been damaged.”
A shop-keeper recalled: “I never heard such a loud explosion ever in my life. I fell three times due to the explosion. It felt as if we were all going to die.”
Casualties mount, probe underway amid security alert
Hospital sources at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (Narayan) Hospital reported that fifteen people were brought in, eight of whom died before reaching the hospital while three remain seriously injured and one is in stable condition.
Responding to the incident, seven fire tenders and numerous ambulances were deployed quickly. The scene has been cordoned off by the Delhi Police and a team from the Special Cell is investigating. Metro services remain running, but access via gates 1 and 4 of the station has been restricted. A city-wide high alert has been sounded in Delhi and neighbouring areas, including Uttar Pradesh.
This tragic incident, striking a historic and busy heart of the national capital, has left residents shaken and raised serious concerns about public safety and security in crowded market zones. Investigations are moving swiftly and further updates are expected in the hours ahead as the full extent of damage and causation emerges.
