Mangled bodies, debris-strewn streets and flames reaching the sky, eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes following a high-intensity explosion near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening.
Amit Mudgal (36) described the moment: “While I was standing and talking to someone, a body part, a hand, with the man's shirt still on it, fell right behind me. Within seconds, the sky was covered in red smoke. Everyone was screaming and running for cover.”
At least eight people were killed and 24 others injured in the blast, which occurred in a busy evening when the area was crowded with pedestrians and vehicles. The injured were rushed to LNJP Hospital. Several cars were gutted, and glass panes of shops and the metro station shattered.
“I am an auto-rickshaw driver. There was a car in front of my auto, most probably a Maruti Swift. I don’t know how it happened, but it suddenly blasted,” said an injured eyewitness.
Also read: Eight dead as car explodes near Red Fort
Manoj, who runs a pani puri stall near Jama Masjid, said he felt the shockwave from over a kilometre away. “We suddenly felt the blast in our chests. People were screaming, some lying motionless. An auto-rickshaw driver was badly injured,” he said.
Another eyewitness, Bhupinder Singh, said the explosion happened as traffic started moving. “The window glass shattered, and we ran towards the market. It was very crowded, nobody knew what was happening. We saw body parts of two or three men blown to pieces.”
Videos circulated on social media showed locals shouting, “Bomb phat gaya!” (A bomb has exploded!) and “Kata hua haath hai!” (There’s a severed hand!) as flames rose from the vehicles.
Ten fire tenders were deployed, and the fire was brought under control by 7:29 pm, officials said. Delhi Police’s Special Cell and anti-terror squads cordoned off the area, and forensic teams began examining the wreckage. A high alert has been sounded across the capital.
Authorities are investigating the cause, with mechanical failure, accidental fire, and deliberate sabotage all being considered.
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