Delhi: A powerful explosion occurred in a car near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila Metro Station (serving the historic Red Fort area) in Old Delhi on Monday evening, triggering widespread fire, casualties and a major security response.
What happened
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At around 6:52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light near the Metro station when a sudden blast ripped through it.
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The explosion ignited the car and caused fire to spread to multiple nearby vehicles, including cars and autorickshaws.
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The scene saw heavy smoke, scattered debris and shocked on-lookers. Eyewitnesses described windows shattering and body parts lying in the road.
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Emergency teams including the fire department, a special cell of the local police, forensic and technical squads reached the site.
Casualties and impact
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As of the latest official counts, 8 people have been confirmed dead.
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Dozens more have been injured; some reports mention 24 injured.
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Several vehicles were damaged or destroyed by fire in the immediate vicinity.
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The blast occurred in a densely populated and historic zone, increasing alarm across the capital.
Location & security response
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The blast site: outside Gate 1 of Lal Qila Metro Station, on the busy road connecting Delhi Gate to Kashmere Gate in Old Delhi.
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In response:
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The city of Delhi has been placed on high alert.
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Adjacent states – including Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra – have also raised security levels and issued directives for sensitive sites.
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Central agencies including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the National Security Guard (NSG) have been deployed to assist in investigation.
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What is being investigated
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The exact cause and nature of the explosion remain under investigation. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether it was a bomb, a vehicle malfunction or some other device.
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Investigators are gathering forensic evidence from the blast site. No crater typical of certain bomb-types has been reported yet.
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Whether this incident has a terror link or is a standalone act is yet to be determined.
Broader significance & aftermath
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Given the prominence of the location — a tourist and historic area — the blast raises serious concerns for urban security in the capital.
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Markets and transit hubs around the site have seen temporary closures or increased check-points. For instance, the nearby Chandni Chowk market is expected to remain closed for the next day for security review.
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The incident comes amid continuing vigilance across India for urban security threats, especially in crowded or symbolic areas.
What we still don’t know:
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The type of explosive or whether it was a planted device or vehicular bomb.
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The identity of the vehicle’s occupants and whether they were deliberate targets or incidental victims.
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Whether the incident is part of a larger planned action or a lone act.
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Full casualty list and condition of all injured individuals.
This explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station stands out for its timing, location and impact. With at least eight confirmed fatalities and dozens injured, it signals a serious breach of security in a high-profile zone of India’s national capital. The deployment of central agencies underscores the gravity. As investigations continue, the public is urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities.