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Explosion rocks Delhi's Red Fort metro area, leaving eight dead
A powerful car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort metro station on Monday evening killed at least eight people and injured more than 20, sending shockwaves through one of India's busiest and most secure districts. The blast, heard kilometers away, reduced nearby vehicles to charred wreckage and triggered panic across the capital.
Chaos in a crowded commercial hub
The explosion occurred on a road flanked by Chandni Chowk-a bustling market packed with wedding-season shoppers-and the historic Red Fort, a major tourist site. Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror: flames engulfing vehicles, body parts scattered, and survivors fleeing in disarray. Mohamed Hafiz, a resident 200 meters from the blast, told local media his home shook violently. "There was blood everywhere. People were in shock. The scene was too disturbing-I could even see body parts," he said.
Within minutes, fear spread citywide. Police declared a high alert, and neighboring states tightened security. Checkpoints at Delhi's borders caused lengthy delays as officers searched vehicles, while streets near the blast site emptied. At Lok Nayak Hospital, where the injured were rushed, crowds gathered behind police barriers, desperate for information.
Search for answers-and missing loved ones
Among the onlookers were families frantically searching for relatives. Mohammed Azghar's brother, an e-rickshaw driver, vanished after the explosion. "We've searched Red Fort, Chandni Chowk-everywhere-but we can't find him," Azghar pleaded. "The police took his vehicle, which is fine. But we need answers, good or bad."
Local workers like Rajesh Kumar, a tea shop employee, grappled with disbelief. "I always thought Delhi was the safest city," he said. "My family in Uttar Pradesh wants me to leave, but I trust the security forces will find out what happened." Others, like goods transporter Ram Singh, feared long-term disruptions: "I earn daily. How will I feed my family if business stops?"
Aftermath: A city on edge
By nightfall, the blast site-a normally vibrant thoroughfare-lay eerily deserted, cordoned off by security. Twisted metal from cars and rickshaws littered the road, alongside dried bloodstains. Authorities allowed journalists closer to the scene, where the explosion's force was evident: vehicles were melted beyond recognition, and debris stretched for meters.
Police have yet to determine the cause but confirmed the blast originated in a car. Investigations are underway amid heightened tensions. "We are shaken," Singh said, "but we must overcome this." The incident marks Delhi's first major explosion in over a decade, leaving residents questioning how such violence could strike at the heart of their city.
