Blast near Delhi’s Red Fort kills 9, injures 20; city placed on high alert

Around 6:50 p.m. on Monday, an explosion in a slow-moving Hyundai i20 at a signal close to Gate No. 1 of Delhi's Red Fort (Lal Qila) Metro Station claimed at least nine lives and injured twenty more. When the explosion occurred, three people were inside the vehicle. Officials reported that six additional vehicles caught fire after the explosion.

Locals contacted the fire and police departments right away. Within a few minutes, police arrived at the location. While teams from the Bomb Disposal Squad, Forensic Department, and Delhi Police cordoned off the area, numerous fire engines also raced to the scene and put out the fire.

The LNJP Hospital received thirty victims. Nine of them have been pronounced dead, and numerous others are still in critical condition. The Hyundai vehicle, which had a Haryana license plate, had reportedly changed ownership several times, according to police sources. In order to establish the ownership trail and identify the ultimate owner, the police worked with the RTO while questioning one of the owners.

In his initial response to the explosion, Home Minister Amit Shah stated that every possibility is being investigated. He also went to the hospital to see the victims and the blast site.

“This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles.”

He added, “Within 10 minutes of receiving the information of the blast, teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch arrived at the spot. The NSG and NIA teams, along with the FSL, have now begun a thorough investigation.”

Shah said, "I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in charge."

Adding that directives had been issued to inspect all CCTV cameras in the area. They are there. We are considering every option and will carry out a comprehensive investigation. We would look into every possibility right away and share the findings with the public.

Rekha Gupta, the chief minister of Delhi, visited the hospitalized patients and made sure they received help. She also met with a group of police officers and doctors.

"The incident of the car explosion near the Red Fort is extremely distressing and alarming. I express my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this tragic accident. I pray to God that the injured recover swiftly," she said in a post on X.

"Every possible assistance is being ensured for the affected people. Teams from the Delhi Police, NSG, NIA, and FSL are working together to conduct a thorough investigation into the entire matter. I appeal to all Delhi residents to avoid rumours and maintain peace. Please rely only on official information issued by the police and administration," she added.

After the explosion, Shah spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"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," posted PM Modi on X.

A red alert has been issued for Uttar Pradesh following a blast close to the Red Fort Metro station. The DGP has instructed all senior officials in the state to bolster security at sensitive religious sites, sensitive districts, and border areas, according to ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash.

Every district in Uttar Pradesh has police on high alert. Amitabh Yash told ANI that an order was sent from Lucknow to increase patrols and checks in sensitive areas. The state of Maharashtra has also been placed on high alert. Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, also gave the state DGP instructions to maintain special surveillance on the state's borders, exercise total vigilance, and keep the police on high alert. According to him, security measures in crowded and sensitive areas should be reinforced, and every suspicious activity should be closely monitored.

Police units in Bihar have been put on high alert, and inspections at key transit hubs have been intensified. Additionally, Chandigarh has increased security, with police being instructed to maintain a close watch on crowded and sensitive areas. Ravada Azad Chandrasekhar, the chief of police in Kerala, has ordered officers to increase state-wide surveillance. Haryana has also issued a warning, and all district magistrates have been instructed to review security plans and make sure they are prepared.

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