A powerful explosion ripped through the heart of Old Delhi on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring more than two dozen others near the Red Fort Metro Station. The blast, which occurred inside a parked car near Gate No. 1 of the busy station, sent shockwaves through the bustling Chandni Chowk area one of the capital’s most crowded and historic marketplaces.
Thick plumes of smoke rose against the backdrop of the iconic Red Fort walls as terrified commuters and shopkeepers ran for safety. The explosion, heard several kilometers away, caused panic and chaos in a region already tense with festive crowds and tight security arrangements.
The Incident: A Quiet Afternoon Turns to Horror
According to eyewitnesses, the explosion took place in evening, when the market was teeming with shoppers, tourists, and daily commuters. A white sedan parked near the metro gate suddenly went up in flames, followed by a deafening blast that shattered glass windows and damaged several vehicles parked nearby.
“I was standing near a tea stall when I heard a loud sound it felt like an earthquake,” said Ramesh Gupta, a local vendor who has worked in the area for over 15 years. “People started screaming and running. Within seconds, I saw fire and smoke coming out of the car. It was horrifying.”
Within minutes, the area descended into confusion. Some passersby tried to help the injured, while others rushed to alert the police and fire services. Videos shared on social media showed vehicles engulfed in flames, with pedestrians desperately pulling the wounded away from the burning wreckage.
Emergency Response: Firefighters, Police, and Paramedics Rush to the Scene
The Delhi Fire Services received multiple calls reporting the explosion and dispatched five fire tenders to the site. Firefighters worked for nearly half an hour to douse the flames that had spread to nearby vehicles and roadside shops.
Director of Delhi Fire Services Atul Garg stated that the fire was extinguished by 7:00 p.m. “Our staff were able to prevent the fire from getting worse by quickly arriving at the scene. Regretfully, the car was totally wrecked due to the explosion’s strength,” he stated.
Ambulances from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority and LNJP Hospital arrived soon after, ferrying the injured to nearby hospitals. Doctors at Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP) said that several victims sustained severe burn injuries, while others suffered shrapnel wounds caused by flying metal fragments.
A hospital representative stated, “Five of the 28 people brought in are in critical condition.” “We are making every effort to get them under control. A number of the victims have not yet been identified.
Police Investigation: Forensic Teams on Ground, Terror Angle Not Ruled Out
The Delhi Police, led by senior officers from the Special Cell and the Crime Branch, immediately cordoned off the area. The site was sealed, and a forensic team was called in to collect samples from the wreckage.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosion originated from the fuel tank or boot of the parked vehicle. However, police have not ruled out any possibility, including sabotage or a crude explosive device.
“Right now, we are examining all angles,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (North District) Sagar Singh Kalsi. “We have recovered metal fragments, wires, and melted plastic from the site, which will be analyzed by forensic experts. It’s too early to confirm the cause.”
Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from metro entrances, nearby shops, and traffic cameras to identify who parked the car and when. The number plate of the vehicle was reportedly damaged in the explosion, complicating the identification process.
“We are verifying ownership records with the Transport Department,” an officer said. “A few witnesses have claimed to see two men near the vehicle shortly before the explosion, but we are cross-checking those statements.”
Authorities Urge Calm Amid Speculation
As word of the explosion spread, rumors began circulating on social media suggesting a possible terror link especially in light of recent arrests of suspected extremists in Delhi and neighboring states.
However, police officials were quick to urge caution. “At this stage, there is no concrete evidence of a terror connection,” said Special Commissioner (Law & Order) Dependra Pathak. “We understand public concern, but we must allow the investigation to proceed scientifically.”
Delhi has been under heightened security in recent weeks following intelligence alerts about possible attempts to disrupt public gatherings during the festive season. Additional security personnel have been deployed at metro stations, markets, and transport hubs across the capital.
The National Security Guard (NSG) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) have also been informed and are in touch with the Delhi Police. “If any explosive traces are found, the NIA will step in,” said an official familiar with the coordination efforts.
Victims and Eyewitness Accounts: Stories of Shock and Survival
Among those killed were a mix of locals and visitors. Preliminary reports identify the deceased as five men, two women, and one child, though officials have withheld names pending family notification.
One of the injured, Mohammad Arif, a rickshaw driver, recounted his narrow escape. “I had just dropped passengers near the metro gate when the car exploded behind me. The sound was like thunder. My ears are still ringing. I turned and saw people lying on the ground, bleeding. It was terrible.”
Shopkeeper Anita Verma, who sells bangles near the explosion site, said she saw flames shoot several feet high. “It was chaos smoke everywhere, people crying and calling for help. I saw two boys carrying an old man who was badly hurt. We poured water on him until help came.”
Emergency responders praised local residents for their courage in assisting victims before rescue teams arrived. “Several lives may have been saved because of their quick action,” a firefighter said.
Historic Site Under Scrutiny: Red Fort’s Vulnerability
The blast’s proximity to the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India’s most recognizable monuments, has raised alarm among security experts. The Red Fort and surrounding areas, including Chandni Chowk, attract thousands of tourists daily, especially during weekends and festivals.
“This incident highlights the vulnerability of Old Delhi,” said retired IPS officer Vikram Singh, a former DGP of Uttar Pradesh. “The combination of dense crowds, narrow lanes, and limited parking regulation makes the area a potential soft target. Authorities must rethink urban security design, not just policing.”
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) temporarily closed Red Fort Station for over two hours following the explosion as a precautionary measure. Services later resumed with enhanced security checks.
“We are cooperating fully with the police investigation,” said a DMRC spokesperson. “Passenger safety remains our top priority.
Aftermath: Security Tightened Across Delhi
In the wake of the explosion, security has been ramped up across the National Capital Region (NCR). Bomb detection squads and sniffer dog units were deployed at major metro stations, including Kashmere Gate, Rajiv Chowk, and Central Secretariat.
Police have issued advisories urging citizens to report unattended vehicles or suspicious objects. Market associations in Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place have also been asked to review security arrangements and coordinate with local police stations.
The Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora chaired an emergency meeting late Monday evening with senior officers from all districts, directing them to maintain high alert levels and ensure visible patrolling in sensitive zones.
The Human Cost: Families Grieve as City Seeks Answers
Outside LNJP Hospital, scenes of grief unfolded as families awaited news of their loved ones. Relatives clutched photos and pleaded with authorities for information.
“I spoke to my husband just before lunch,” said Rekha Sharma, whose husband worked as a delivery driver. “He told me he was parking near Red Fort before his next trip. Now I’m told he’s gone. How can this happen in the middle of the city?”
Psychological counselors from NGOs have been deployed to assist victims’ families and witnesses traumatized by the incident. “Many people are in shock. They saw death up close,” said one volunteer.
Investigators Focus on Vehicle’s Origin
By late evening, investigators had traced the car’s chassis number to a registered owner in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, though the vehicle was reportedly sold second-hand last month. Police are now tracking the transaction records and questioning potential witnesses.
Sources indicate that a fuel leakage or short circuit could be among possible causes, but forensic experts have not ruled out deliberate tampering. Samples collected from the site have been sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Lodhi Road for chemical analysis.
A senior officer hinted that traces of hydrocarbon accelerants were found, suggesting that the fire spread unusually fast. “We will have a clearer picture after lab reports come in,” he said.
City on Edge: Echoes of Past Tragedies
For many Delhi residents, the explosion revived memories of past blasts that have scarred the capital from the 2005 Diwali market attacks to the 2011 Delhi High Court bombing. While the causes may differ, the sense of vulnerability remains painfully familiar.
“This city has suffered too many times,” said Sudhir Mishra, a local journalist who covered earlier incidents. “Every blast reminds us that safety can never be taken for granted, no matter how normal life seems.”
A City in Mourning, a Search for Answers
As investigators sift through debris and families mourn their loss, Delhi once again confronts the fragility of urban safety in a densely populated, vibrant capital. The Red Fort blast stands as a grim reminder that tragedy can strike without warning, even in the shadow of history.
For now, Chandni Chowk usually a symphony of color, chaos, and commerce stands subdued, its sounds replaced by sirens and silence. The people of Delhi, resilient as ever, wait for answers and for justice in the hope that such a tragedy never repeats itself.
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