A devastating explosion occurred in a crowded area near the Red Fort in Delhi today, claiming the lives of eight individuals and injuring 24 others. The incident took place at approximately 6:52 PM outside gate No. 1 of the Lal Quila metro station, where the blast originated from a slow-moving vehicle. Delhi Police Chief Satish Golcha confirmed that there were people inside the car at the time of the explosion, which resulted in many vehicles catching fire in the vicinity—a popular location frequented by tourists, situated just 1.1 kilometers from the Jama Masjid and close to Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the aftermath. One bystander described seeing dismembered body parts strewn across the road, saying, “I saw a hand on the road.” Another individual recounted the shockwave from the explosion shaking nearby buildings and rattling window frames and doors. Visual evidence suggests extensive damage, indicating the blast’s intensity.
In response to the explosion, the National Investigation Agency has been deployed to the scene, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been in constant contact with senior Delhi Police officials and has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The local community is in shock, with one resident recalling a “huge fireball” seen from their terrace.
Amid the chaos, emergency services swiftly responded, with nearly a dozen ambulances dispatched to assist the injured. The incident has prompted heightened security measures in neighboring Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai, as authorities remain on high alert.
Earlier in the day, police recovered over 2,500 kilograms of chemicals used to manufacture explosives in raids across the country, heightening concerns over potential criminal activity. As investigations unfold, this tragic event underlines the pressing need for continued vigilance and security in public spaces.