A powerful explosion rocked the area near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring several others. The intensity of the blast sent shockwaves through the crowded vicinity of Chandni Chowk, shattering nearby streetlights and throwing vehicles as far as 150 meters from the site. Emergency services rushed to the scene as thick smoke billowed across the area, and panic spread among residents and commuters.
According to officials, eight bodies have been brought to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital. Medical teams are on high alert, attending to those injured in the explosion. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the fatalities include passersby or individuals inside the vehicles affected by the blast. Doctors have described the condition of some of the injured as critical, and arrangements have been made to transfer patients requiring specialized treatment.
The Delhi Fire Department received the first call about the explosion at approximately 6:55 p.m., after which multiple fire tenders and ambulances were dispatched to the location. Firefighters battled flames that engulfed several vehicles parked near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station. The explosion was reportedly so severe that five to six vehicles were destroyed. Preliminary assessments indicate that an Eco van parked near the metro gate may have been the origin of the blast, although the cause remains under investigation.
Senior officials from the Delhi Police Special Cell and the Fire Department arrived at the scene within minutes. Forensic and technical teams were deployed to collect samples and analyze debris to determine the nature of the explosion. Sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squads combed the area for potential secondary devices. Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding streets to trace the moments leading up to the incident.
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos, describing how the explosion caused a deafening sound that knocked out streetlights and left the area in darkness. Several people were seen running in panic, and shopkeepers nearby immediately closed their establishments. Security personnel quickly cordoned off the site, directing crowds away from the metro station and Red Fort complex, both major public areas that draw hundreds of visitors each evening.
Authorities have sounded a red alert across the national capital following the explosion. Police presence has been significantly increased at key intersections, metro stations, and tourist zones. In a parallel development, Mumbai Police have also heightened security measures, conducting nakabandi operations, random checks, and intensified patrolling in sensitive zones. Ground intelligence units have been activated, and officers have been instructed to maintain a high level of vigilance.
The timing of the incident has raised concerns among security agencies, as it comes just a day after a major terror module was dismantled, with investigators recovering nearly 2,900 kilograms of bomb-making material from another part of the country. While authorities have not officially linked the two events, they have not ruled out the possibility of a coordinated plot.
The Delhi Police Commissioner, along with senior officers from the Special Cell and National Security Guard, is overseeing the probe. Forensic experts are expected to submit an initial report within 48 hours, which may provide clarity on whether the blast was accidental or deliberate. Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation and refrain from spreading unverified information on social media.
As night fell over Delhi, heavy police deployment continued in and around Red Fort, with barricades restricting access to adjoining roads. The area remained sealed late into the night as teams searched for evidence. The explosion, which disrupted the routine of one of Delhi’s busiest neighborhoods, has reignited security concerns in the national capital ahead of the upcoming festival season.
Authorities are expected to hold a press briefing once preliminary findings from the forensic analysis are available. Meanwhile, the city remains on edge as investigators work to uncover the circumstances that led to one of the most serious security incidents near Red Fort in recent years.
