Eight people were killed on Monday evening after a car exploded near Gate No. 1 of Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station, triggering a fire that engulfed several nearby vehicles and sent panic across the area.
According to Delhi Fire Services (DFS), the control room received a call around 6:55 pm. Seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and firefighters managed to douse the flames within minutes. Officials initially reported no casualties, but police later confirmed that eight people had died, with the toll expected to rise as forensic teams complete their assessment.
Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud explosion before flames leapt from a parked vehicle. “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 Rajdhar Pandey, a local resident.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear. Forensic teams are examining the charred remains of the vehicles, while police have sealed off the stretch and begun a detailed investigation. Senior officers said all possibilities, including mechanical failure, accidental fire, and deliberate sabotage, are under scrutiny.
The blast came only hours after Delhi Police announced the busting of an interstate terror module linked to banned outfits. The operation led to the recovery of more than 2,900 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate, including 360 kg seized earlier and an additional 2,500 kg traced later. Investigators had warned that the group allegedly planned to assemble hundreds of IEDs for attacks in Delhi.
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