by Our Correspondent in New Delhi
A powerful explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening killed at least 13 people and left several others injured, prompting a citywide security alert and a massive emergency response.
According to officials from the Delhi Fire Department, the blast occurred in a parked car near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station around 6:45 p.m. The explosion was so intense that three to four nearby vehicles caught fire, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air and triggering panic in the area. Multiple fire tenders were rushed to the scene to contain the blaze, while ambulances transported the injured to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital.
Authorities said the cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed but suspect a CNG cylinder blast. The vehicle involved and the surrounding area have been cordoned off as forensic teams and bomb disposal units begin investigations. Senior police officers and officials from the National Security Guard (NSG) have arrived at the site to examine the nature of the explosion.
In the wake of the incident, Delhi Police have sounded a high alert across the capital, stepping up security checks at metro stations, markets, and key government buildings. “The situation is under control. All necessary measures are being taken,” a senior police official said, adding that teams are scanning CCTV footage from the area.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos following the explosion. Rajdhar Pandey, a local resident, said he saw flames rising from the street outside his home. “There was a loud explosion. I ran downstairs and saw cars burning,” he recounted. Another witness said body parts were scattered across the road. “No one could understand what had happened. It was horrifying,” he said. A nearby shopkeeper added, “I have never heard such a loud blast in my life. The shockwave knocked me down three times — it felt like the whole area shook.”
As investigators work to determine whether the explosion was accidental or deliberate, the tragedy has sent shockwaves through the national capital. The Red Fort area, one of Delhi’s most visited tourist landmarks, has been sealed off as emergency teams continue operations late into the night.
