A car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station killed at least 9 people and injured 24 on Monday evening, triggering a high alert across the Indian capital. The blast occurred around 7:29 PM near Gate No. 1 of Lal Qila Metro station, engulfing three to four vehicles in flames and scattering debris across the congested area.
Emergency services rushed seven fire tenders to the scene as smoke billowed from the blast site. The injured were transported to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, where at least 9 victims were declared dead. Three remain seriously injured while others are in stable condition.
Witnesses described scenes of horror. A shopkeeper stated: “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.” Another witness reported seeing body parts strewn across the road and damaged vehicles.
The explosion’s intensity shattered windows of buildings and vehicles hundreds of meters away. Delhi Police Special Cell and forensic teams are investigating the cause, though officials remain cautious about declaring it terrorism. Bomb squad units are analyzing evidence to determine if explosives were inside the car.
The location is one of Delhi’s most sensitive areas. Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, sits in Old Delhi’s congested Chandni Chowk district. Delhi authorities have sounded a high alert across the city, with security forces deployed to strategic locations. Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai have also been put on high alert.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blast. Police have cordoned off the area and are analyzing CCTV footage. The incident represents one of Delhi’s deadliest urban explosions in recent years.
