Red Fort blast highlights: Locals recall horror of Red Fort blast, say scenes still haunt them

Eyewitness Mohsin Ali described scenes of panic and confusion as the blast ripped through an area that is almost always crowded. The Lal Quila Metro station stands adjacent to Chandni Chowk, one of Delhi’s busiest hubs for shoppers and tourists. Ali told IE, “It was a strong blast. This area is always heavily crowded. It was extremely packed today. I couldn’t see how many people were injured in the stampede that followed, but many had fallen to the ground.”

Home Minister Amit Shah meet the injured people at LNJP Hospital.

“The car blast incident in Delhi is extremely painful and disturbing. At this moment of immense grief, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted on X.

PM Narendra Modi took to X and said he has reviewed the ongoing situation of explosion near Red Fort. “Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities. Reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah Ji and other officials,” the PM wrote.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi took to X to condole the loss of lives in the car explosion near Red Fort on Monday evening. “The news of the car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station is extremely heartbreaking and concerning. The report of the deaths of several innocent people in this tragic incident is profoundly sorrowful. In this hour of grief, I stand with the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones and express my deepest condolences to them. I hope for the swift recovery of all the injured,” he wrote.

Home Minister Amit Shah said that teams from the NIA, NSG and FSL are conducting detailed investigations at the blast site, with CCTV footage currently under examination. “We are keeping all possibilities in mind, and the findings will be shared with the public,” he stated. Shah added that he will visit both the site of the explosion and the hospital where the injured are being treated.

“We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account…I will be heading to the spot shortly and will also visit the hospital immediately,” he added.

Uttar Pradesh has been placed on high alert following the explosion. ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash told ANI that the state DGP has issued instructions to all senior officials to tighten security immediately. The UP security apparatus has been directed to intensify vigilance at sensitive religious sites, high-risk districts and border areas adjoining Delhi. All security agencies across the state have been alerted, Yash said.

“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,” he added, noting that enhanced monitoring and coordinated surveillance are now underway to prevent any spillover threats.

Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal took to X and wrote, “The news of the explosion near the Red Fort is extremely alarming. It is reported that some people have also lost their lives in it, which is extremely tragic. The police and government should immediately investigate how this explosion occurred and whether there is any larger conspiracy behind it. Negligence regarding Delhi’s security cannot be tolerated.”

Chandni Chowk market to be closed on Tuesday following blast near Red Fort, Market association president Sanjay Bhargaw said.

– via PTI

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha told ANI, “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… 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.”

Sanjay Bhargava, president of the Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, described scenes of devastation following the explosion near Red Fort. He told Indian Express that the blast was so powerful its tremors were felt nearly a kilometre away. “Buildings shook as if an earthquake had struck… there were bodies lying on the road — someone’s arm in one place, someone’s head in another,” he said.

The explosion occurred near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort, directly across from the busy pedestrian stretch of Chandni Chowk. Bhargava said the market quickly descended into chaos. “All shops have now been closed. The roads are jam-packed, and there’s panic among shoppers. People are rushing to leave… there’s a long queue outside the market’s parking area as everyone is trying to get to their cars and exit as quickly as possible,” he added.

According a report by news agency IANS, Delhi, UP and Mumbai have also been put on high alert following the explosion. So far, no reports on the nature of blast have come out.

A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reached the spot. The blast was so powerful that it shattered the windows of vehicles parked several metres away. According to a PTI report, the sound was heard at ITO a few kilometres away.

According to the Indian Express, a team of country’s chief counter-terrorism force NSG, is on its way to the explosion site.

Medical Superintendent at LNJP Hospital told ANI that 15 people have been brought to hospital. “Eight of them died before reaching the hospital. Three are seriously injured. One is in stable condition,” the official said.

The death toll in the explosion has risen to 8 now. The exact cause and nature of the explosion is being ascertained by the authorities.

Several people reportedly got injured in the explosion and they were rushed to the LNJP hospital, ANI quoted sources as saying.

According to the authorities on ground, the fire has been extinguished and the cooling work is currently in progress. The clear extent of damage will be accessed by the authorities following the cooling. The area has been cordoned off after the explosion.

A video from the blast site posted by news agency IANS shows the damaged area. According to the Indian Express, one person has died and several have been injured following the explosion. The reason behind the blast is being investigated.

An explosion was reported in a car parked near the Red Fort metro station. A high alert has been sounded across the city following the explosion.

Injuries are feared after blast in car parked near Red Fort; many cars on fire, officials said.