A powerful explosion rocked the area surrounding Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday, leaving eight people dead and 19 others wounded. The incident, which happened at a busy time just before 7 pm, occurred when a car stopped at a red light and suddenly exploded. The blast initiated a fire that quickly spread, destroying over a dozen other vehicles.
The location of the blast, in the congested Old Delhi area, is significant. The Red Fort is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations and a symbol of the nation. The area is typically “heaving with people, food stalls and vehicles,” making the incident particularly devastating.
Emergency response was swift, with dozens of fire engines and ambulances rushing to the scene. The 19 injured were transported to a government hospital. Witnesses described a scene of absolute terror. One local resident recounted hearing the loud blast and running out to see vehicles burning and body parts scattered on the road.
India’s leadership has been directly involved in the response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X that he was “reviewing the situation” with Home Minister Amit Shah and offered condolences. Shah himself visited the blast site and stated that the cause is under investigation, pending forensic analysis, and that “all angles” are being explored.
As a precaution, authorities have placed the financial capital Mumbai, the state of Uttar Pradesh, and large train stations across India on high alert. This blast is the most serious such incident in Delhi since a 2011 explosion.