NEW DELHI: A high-intensity blast in a parked car near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening left at least eight people dead and several vehicles charred. The explosion triggered a fire that quickly spread to nearby cars.The incident occurred near Gate Number 1 of the station, the Delhi Fire Department told news agency ANI.“Eight of them died before reaching the hospital,” Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital’s medical superintendent told news agency ANI.
Videos shared by the Chandni Chowk Traders’ Association captured the scale of the explosion. One clip showed a body lying on a vehicle, while another appeared to show a body on the road. Eyewitnesses said human remains were visible near the site of the blast.“Six cars, two e-rickshaws and one autorickshaw were gutted in the fire,” said a fire department official told PTI.After the explosion, a high alert has been sounded in the Capital. The injured, multiple in numbers, were rushed to the LNJP hospital, sources told ANI.A total of 7 fire tenders have reached the spot. A team from the Delhi Police Special Cell has also reached the site. The reason behind the explosion is not known yet.
PM Modi takes stock of the situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation. Home minister Amit Shah briefed the Prime Minister, said GoI sources.
Amit Shah speaks to Delhi top cop
Earlier, Amit Shah spoke with the Delhi Police Commissioner after the incident. Teams from the NSG, NIA, and the forensic department were rushed to the spot. The home minister is continuously in touch with the IB Director.
Officials react to the blast
- “As of now, I can’t tell you anything. Investigation is being done,” said a Delhi Police official.
- “It is too early to say anything. I am just going to the site,” Kishor Prasad, DIG CRPF said.
- “Today at around 6.52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here… Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored. The Home Minister has also called us, and information is being shared with him from time to time,” Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha told ANI.
- “We got information that there was a blast in a car near Chandni Chowk Metro Station. We responded immediately, and seven units were sent to the spot. At 7.29 PM, the fire was brought under control. There is a possibility that there are casualties in this. All our teams are present at the spot,” deputy chief fire officer AK Malik told ANI.
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‘Never heard such a loud explosion,’ says eyewitness
“I saw the flames from my house and then came down to see what had happened. There was a loud explosion. I live nearby,” said local resident Rajdhar Pandey told news agency ANI. “I never heard such a loud explosion ever in my life. I fell three times due to the explosion. It felt as if we were all going to die…” said a local shopkeeper.Another witness said: “When we came near, we saw body parts spread on the road. No one could figure out what happened. Several cars have been damaged”. He further said: “When we saw someone’s hand on the road, we were absolutely shocked. I can’t explain it in words.”
High alert in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra
Uttar Pradesh has been put on a red alert in the wake of a blast near the Red Fort Metro station. ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash said that the DGP has issued instructions to all senior officials in the state to increase security at sensitive religious sites, sensitive districts, and border areas. Police in all districts of Uttar Pradesh have been put on alert. An order was issued from Lucknow to increase patrols and checks in sensitive areas, Amitabh Yash told ANI. Maharashtra has also been put on high alert.Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also directed the state DGP to keep the police on high alert, exercise complete vigilance, and maintain special surveillance on the state’s borders. He said that security arrangements should be strengthened in sensitive and crowded areas, and a sharp eye should be kept on every suspicious activity.ALSO READ | ‘Saw a hand on road’: Eye witnesses recount moments after Delhi blast – watch
