The moments after a car detonated near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday night were filled with chaos, as “people screaming in panic” fled a raging fire. The explosion, which killed eight people and injured 19, occurred just before 7 pm at a crowded intersection.
According to Delhi Police, a car stopped at a red light outside the metro station suddenly exploded. The blast, described as “very strong” by witnesses, sparked a substantial fire that engulfed over a dozen other vehicles, including cars, rickshaws, and motorcycles. News footage showed one vehicle with its doors completely blown off.
The scene was one of ‘carnage,’ according to graphic witness accounts. One person reported seeing a “hand on the road” and a body “torn into pieces.” Another witness, Om Prakash Gupta, described the horrifying sight of “body parts all over” the street.
A massive emergency response was activated, with dozens of fire engines and ambulances rushing to the site. The 19 injured victims were transported to a government hospital for treatment.
The federal Home Ministry is leading the probe. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site, stating that the cause is not yet known and will depend on a forensic analysis of samples. He assured that “all angles” are being investigated. The registered owner of the car has reportedly been detained for questioning. Prime Minister Modi has offered condolences, and a high alert is in effect for Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh.