A car explosion occurred on Monday evening near the Red Fort metro station in Delhi, India. The incident resulted in at least eight fatalities and over 20 injuries.
Incident Details
The explosion occurred on a road situated between the historic 17th-century Red Fort and the busy Chandni Chowk market area. The blast caused significant damage to nearby vehicles, and its sound was reportedly heard several kilometers away. The incident location is characterized by high pedestrian and commercial activity, particularly during the ongoing wedding season for Chandni Chowk, and consistent tourist traffic at the Red Fort.
Witnesses described immediate disarray following the blast, with individuals observed fleeing the scene and multiple vehicles catching fire. Emergency services, alongside local residents, provided initial assistance to the injured.
Aftermath and Response
Following the incident, police declared a high alert across Delhi, with neighboring states also implementing increased security measures. Entry points to Delhi from adjacent suburbs, such as Noida, experienced increased security checks, leading to queues as law enforcement officials conducted vehicle inspections.
Medical response focused on Lok Nayak Hospital, where injured individuals were transported for treatment. A crowd gathered outside the hospital behind police cordons, comprising individuals seeking information about the explosion and relatives searching for missing family members. For instance, Mohammed Azghar reported his brother missing since the explosion; his brother's electric rickshaw was reportedly confiscated by police from the blast site.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the explosion. The event marks the first such incident in Delhi in over a decade, prompting widespread public concern regarding safety and security in the capital.