In a horrifying turn of events, at least 13 people were killed and over 21 injured in a powerful explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening. The tragic incident, which took place close to the Red Fort Metro Station, sent shockwaves across the national capital and prompted an immediate high-level security response.
CCTV footage from a nearby establishment captured the exact moment the explosion occurred — a flash of bright yellow-orange light illuminated the frame, followed by chaos on the street. The video, shared widely on social media, showed the explosion from a distance but clearly reflected its devastating intensity.
The Blast: A Calm Evening Turns Deadly
According to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, the explosion took place at approximately 6:52 PM on Netaji Subhash Marg, one of the busiest stretches near Red Fort.
“At around 6.52 PM, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light near Red Fort. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the blast, nearby vehicles were also damaged,” Golcha said while addressing the media.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and confusion. Shopkeepers, local vendors, and pedestrians said they heard a deafening sound that caused windows to shatter, doors to rattle, and buildings to tremble in the surrounding lanes of Old Delhi.
One witness, a shop owner near Daryaganj, said, “We first thought it was a cylinder blast. But the sound was too loud, and the vibration was strong enough to make the glass doors shake violently. People started running in every direction.”
Explosion Originated From a Car
Initial reports indicate that the blast originated from a Hyundai i20 car, which had been parked for nearly two hours near Red Fort before the explosion occurred. Investigators revealed that the vehicle began moving slowly towards the Lower Subhash Marg stretch just before it detonated.
Preliminary investigations suggest that there were three occupants inside the car, all of whom died instantly in the explosion. Their bodies were charred beyond recognition, making immediate identification difficult.
Authorities believe that the car might have been carrying explosive materials, but the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Security Guard (NSG) teams have been called in to determine the exact cause and type of explosive used.
CCTV Footage Reveals Critical Details
The CCTV footage examined by police and intelligence agencies has proven crucial in piecing together the vehicle’s movement before the explosion.
The footage showed the i20 car entering from the Daryaganj Market area around 4 PM, before heading towards the Sunehri Masjid parking lot beside Red Fort on Shantivan Marg. After staying there for approximately two hours, the car exited and took a U-turn near Old Delhi Railway Station before proceeding towards Lower Subhash Marg.
A senior police officer investigating the case said,
“The car was moving very slowly when it reached Chhata Rail Chowk. It stopped briefly at a red light, and within seconds, the explosion occurred. The impact was so severe that nearby vehicles caught fire, and the entire stretch was engulfed in smoke.”
Heavy Damage and High Casualties
The blast site, located just a few hundred metres from the Red Fort Metro Station, was left strewn with debris, damaged vehicles, and shattered glass. Rescue teams, fire tenders, and ambulances rushed to the scene within minutes as bystanders tried to help the injured.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames and smoke billowing from the car immediately after the explosion. Several people in nearby vehicles were either thrown off their seats or suffered burns from the intense heat.
A Maruti Eeco van, which was reportedly next to the i20 at the time of the explosion, sustained heavy damage. Investigators said its occupants were either killed instantly or critically injured.
Authorities confirmed that 13 people died on the spot, while 21 others were rushed to various hospitals, including Lok Nayak Hospital and GB Pant Hospital. Some of the injured remain in critical condition.
Car’s Ownership Under Investigation
The car that exploded bore a Haryana registration number, and initial records show it was last registered to a man in Gurugram. However, investigators discovered that the vehicle had changed hands multiple times in recent weeks, making the ownership trail complex.
A senior crime branch official said,
“We are tracing the vehicle’s sale history. The last few ownership transfers seem suspicious, and we are working with the RTOs of Gurugram and Delhi to track who possessed the car most recently.”
Sources said the police are also exploring whether the explosion was accidental or deliberate. While officials have not ruled out a terror angle, they are also investigating possibilities of illegal explosive storage or mechanical malfunction.
Security Measures Tightened Across Delhi
Following the explosion, the Red Fort monument has been temporarily closed to visitors for three days, as a precautionary measure. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has also shut down the Lal Qila Metro Station on the Violet Line until further notice.
A senior Delhi Police officer said that security arrangements have been heightened not just around the Red Fort but across other high-profile areas in the capital, including India Gate, Parliament Street, Connaught Place, and major metro stations.
Security personnel, including Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams, have been deployed to prevent any further incidents. Bomb disposal squads have been scanning nearby vehicles and abandoned objects.
Eyewitness Accounts: “It Felt Like an Earthquake”
Residents living near the Red Fort described the explosion as the most powerful blast they had ever experienced in the area.
“I was standing near my shop when I heard a loud bang. For a second, it felt like an earthquake. I saw people screaming and running. The fire from the car was so strong that we couldn’t get close to help,” said a vendor from Chhata Rail Chowk.
Another eyewitness, an auto-rickshaw driver who was injured in the blast, reportedly drove himself to the hospital despite being covered in blood. His act of courage has since been widely shared online.
Investigation Underway: NIA Likely to Join Probe
Sources suggest that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Special Cell of Delhi Police may soon take over the probe, given the nature of the explosion and its proximity to a major national monument.
Teams from the Delhi Fire Department, FSL, and Crime Branch have collected samples from the blast site. Initial tests indicate the possible use of a high-intensity explosive device, but confirmation awaits detailed forensic analysis.
An official briefed on the situation said,
“We are not ruling out any angle — whether it was a planned attack, a terror plot, or an accident. Every detail, from the car’s route to mobile tower data, is being scrutinized.”
Delhi on High Alert
In light of the Red Fort blast, Delhi has been placed on high alert. Police checkpoints have been set up at key entry and exit points, and patrolling has been intensified, especially in crowded areas.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain calm but vigilant. “Public cooperation is vital at this moment,” a Delhi Police spokesperson said. “Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity near Red Fort earlier today should come forward.”
As the investigation unfolds, the capital remains tense — mourning the victims while bracing for answers. The sight of a quiet evening turning into a deadly inferno near one of India’s most iconic landmarks will remain etched in Delhi’s memory for years to come.
