A powerful explosion rocked a parked car near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila Metro Station in Delhi on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring 24 others. The blast triggered panic in the area and prompted authorities to send seven fire tenders to the scene. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were briefed on the situation soon after the incident, and a high alert has been issued across the city. The entire area surrounding the Red Fort Metro Station has been cordoned off. “As of now, I can’t tell you anything. Investigation is being done,” a Delhi Police official told ANI.
According to the fire department, the explosion occurred in a slow-moving vehicle that had stopped at a red light. The impact caused nearby vehicles to catch fire and sustain damage. “A call was received regarding an explosion in a car near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, after which three to four vehicles also caught fire and sustained damage. A total of seven fire tenders have reached the spot. A team from the Delhi Police Special Cell has also reached the spot. Further details awaited,” ANI reported citing officials.
Sources confirmed that Prime Minister Modi has taken stock of the situation and is being updated by Home Minister Amit Shah, who immediately contacted the Delhi Police Commissioner. Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the National Security Guard (NSG), and the forensic department were rushed to the site. Shah has also been in constant contact with the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to assess developments.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said the explosion took place at around 6:52 pm. “Today at around 6.52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here,” he told reporters. “Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored. The home minister has also called us, and information is being shared with him from time to time,” he added.
In response to the incident, a high alert has been sounded in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. “All security agencies have also been alerted. Police in all districts of Uttar Pradesh have been put on alert. An order was issued from Lucknow to increase patrols and checks in sensitive areas,” ANI quoted Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash as saying.
Security agencies are now investigating the nature of the blast and whether any explosive materials were used. Forensic teams are collecting samples from the site, while authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area to trace the vehicle’s origin and identify those responsible.
