At least eleven people were killed and several others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through a Hyundai i20 car near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening, causing panic in the busy area. The blast occurred around 7 p.m. at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near Red Fort Metro Station and damaged several nearby vehicles.
“The blast took place in a slow-moving vehicle that came to a halt at the Red Fort traffic signal. There were occupants in the car. The blast damaged cars nearby,” said Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha while briefing the media.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that all possible angles are being examined as part of the investigation. “This evening, around 7 p.m., 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. Preliminary reports indicate that fatalities have occurred,” he said in a statement to ANI.
Shah added that within 10 minutes of receiving the information, teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and the Special Branch reached the spot, and later, the National Security Guard (NSG), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams began their probe.
“I have spoken to the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Special Branch in-charge. Both are present at the site. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation. The findings will be shared with the public,” he said.
Police have imposed a high alert across the capital, and at least twenty fire engines were deployed to douse the flames. Eyewitnesses described the scene as “terrifying,” with loud explosions, flames, and vehicles burning at the intersection. “I saw people running in panic. One car was completely on fire,” said a street vendor near the site.
