A powerful car explosion shook the heart of Delhi on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 20. The blast occurred near the Red Fort metro station, one of the city’s busiest areas, and was so intense that nearby vehicles were badly damaged. Witnesses said the explosion could be heard from kilometers away.
The explosion struck a road sandwiched between Chandni Chowk, a bustling trading hub, and the historic 17th Century Red Fort, which attracts thousands of tourists daily. Within minutes, panic spread across the city as people ran from the scene, with some initially thinking it was an earthquake.
Mohamed Hafiz, who lives less than 200 meters from the blast site, described a scene of chaos. “People were running in all directions, cars were on fire, and bodies lay on the road. There was blood everywhere,” he said.
Authorities quickly declared a high alert, and neighboring states strengthened security measures. At the Delhi-Noida border, vehicles were searched one by one, leaving long queues as commuters tried to enter the city. Roads near the site remained deserted, a stark contrast to the usually busy area.
At Lok Nayak Hospital, where the injured were taken, worried family members gathered behind police cordons, searching for missing loved ones. Mohammed Azghar, whose brother drives an electric rickshaw, said, “We’ve searched around Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, everywhere but we can’t find him. I just want some news good or bad.”
The scene at the blast site was shocking, with charred vehicles, bloodstains, and debris scattered across the road. Local workers expressed concern about the impact on daily livelihoods. Ram Singh, who ferries goods across Chandni Chowk, said, “I earn daily and worry about feeding my family. I hope the police restore a sense of security soon.”
Police continue to investigate the cause of the explosion, while residents and tourists alike remain on edge, hoping for clarity and safety in the aftermath of the devastating blast.
