Authorities suspect possible terror link; Red Fort vicinity sealed for forensic examination.
NEW DELHI: A powerful car explosion ripped through a busy intersection near Delhi’s Lal Qila Metro Station on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring 19 others, according to local officials.
The blast, which occurred in the Old Delhi quarter close to the historic Red Fort, sent plumes of smoke into the air as flames engulfed several vehicles caught in the explosion’s impact.
Authorities Investigate Cause
Police have not yet determined the cause of the explosion but confirmed that forensic and anti-terrorism units are investigating.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha told reporters that “a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light an explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged.”
Media reports, including NDTV, cited police sources saying that the car’s owner has been detained for questioning.
PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi React
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims’ families, stating that he had “reviewed the situation” with Home Minister Amit Shah and other officials.
“Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi… may the injured recover at the earliest,” Modi said.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called the incident “extremely heartbreaking,” urging authorities to ensure the injured receive full medical support.
Scenes of Chaos at Hospitals
At Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, ambulances rushed in with the injured as doctors and paramedics scrambled to respond. Witnesses described scenes of panic and grief as families searched for loved ones.
A woman wept outside the emergency ward, saying her husband was among those being treated. “I can’t bear to see him like that,” she cried as relatives comforted her.
Deputy Fire Officer A.K. Malik confirmed that “eight people have died so far and 19 are injured.”
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses described how flames quickly spread to nearby vehicles, including rickshaws and cars, trapping several people.
AFP reporters at the scene said pools of blood were visible on the road as firefighters battled the blaze.
One resident, Musarrat Ansari, said her brother was injured when a burning car hit his motorbike. “He called me and said his leg was hurt, he couldn’t walk,” she told reporters.
Historic Landmark Shaken
The explosion occurred just a few hundred meters from the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India’s most iconic monuments.
Built in 1648 under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the Red Fort serves as the site of India’s annual Independence Day address and appears on the nation’s largest currency note.
Security Tightened Across Capital
Police cordoned off the blast site and surrounding areas, while bomb squads conducted sweeps in nearby locations. Security has been heightened across the capital, particularly around transport hubs and government buildings.
The Delhi Fire Department said the fire had been contained within an hour, but a detailed forensic analysis was underway to determine whether explosives or flammable materials caused the blast.