New Delhi witnessed a moment of horror on Monday evening when a powerful explosion ripped through the vicinity of the Red Fort metro station, claiming the lives of at least 13 people and injuring 21 others. CCTV footage from the area has now surfaced, capturing the exact moment of the blast and providing investigators with critical visual evidence of the sequence of events leading up to the tragedy. Authorities have imposed heightened security across the national capital while the probe into the incident continues.

The Blast and Immediate Aftermath

According to officials, the explosion occurred at approximately 6:52 pm near the Red Fort Metro Station, along Netaji Subhash Marg in Old Delhi. Eyewitnesses described the blast as shockingly intense, likening it to a small earthquake. The concussive force shattered nearby windows, shook adjacent buildings, and left locals terrified. Fragments of debris, including body parts, were scattered across the area, with some reportedly reaching the compound of the nearby Jain Mandir.

Residents and shopkeepers in the vicinity recounted the chaotic scenes following the explosion. Many rushed to help the injured before emergency responders arrived, while others sought shelter in nearby gurdwaras, temples, and shops. The immediate area was cordoned off by the police, and local authorities ordered the historic Red Fort to remain closed to visitors for the next three days. Additionally, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) temporarily shut the Lal Qila Metro Station on the violet line for security reasons.

Insights from CCTV Footage

The newly released CCTV footage, shared by news agency ANI, offers a distant but crucial view of the explosion. In the clip, a bright yellow-orange flash can be seen in the top right corner of the frame, marking the exact moment the Hyundai i20 car detonated. According to Delhi Police, the vehicle was moving slowly when it stopped at a red light near the Red Fort, just minutes before the explosion.

Police Commissioner Satish Golcha provided details on the sequence of events leading to the blast. “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,” he said. Investigators believe the Hyundai i20 was carrying three occupants, all of whom died instantly in the blast.

Tracing the Vehicle’s Movements

Investigators have meticulously traced the route of the Hyundai i20 prior to the explosion. According to sources familiar with the probe, the car was first seen on CCTV near Daryaganj Market around 4 pm, heading towards the Sunehri Masjid parking lot beside the Red Fort. It remained parked there for nearly two hours before leaving the lot, taking a U-turn near Old Delhi Railway Station, and proceeding along the Chhata Rail Chowk stretch towards Lower Subhash Marg.

The footage shows the vehicle slowing down at a traffic signal just before the explosion occurred, confirming that the blast happened while the car was in motion. This sequence aligns with reports from multiple eyewitnesses and local residents who described hearing a sudden, intense explosion that shook the area and sent debris flying in all directions.

Ownership and Background of the Car

The Hyundai i20 bore a Haryana registration number and had recently changed ownership multiple times. Authorities have traced its last registered owner to Gurugram. Investigators have also looked into the movements of previous owners to understand how the vehicle ended up near the Red Fort at the time of the blast.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosion involved a high-intensity device, possibly involving ammonium-based explosives, although authorities continue to examine forensic samples collected from the scene. Investigators are exploring multiple angles, including whether the explosion was triggered intentionally while the car was in motion or accidentally.

Damage to Nearby Vehicles

The blast caused extensive damage to surrounding vehicles, including a Maruti Eeco van parked near the i20. Reports indicate that occupants of the van were either killed or critically injured. Several other cars and motorcycles in the vicinity also suffered damage from the shockwave and flying debris.

Security Measures and Investigation

In response to the incident, security arrangements across central and north Delhi have been significantly strengthened. Police and intelligence agencies are conducting area sweeps, reviewing surveillance footage from multiple cameras, and questioning witnesses to establish the chain of events.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has now taken over the probe, following leads that suggest a possible terror angle. Preliminary information indicates that the vehicle may have been linked to a terror module previously busted in Faridabad, Haryana, in which nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosives were seized. Authorities are also conducting DNA tests to confirm the identities of the victims, as several bodies remained unidentified immediately after the explosion.

Impact on the Local Community

The blast has left the historic Red Fort area and surrounding neighbourhoods scarred. Local shopkeepers fear economic losses due to reduced footfall in the aftermath of the explosion. Residents, traumatized by the intensity of the blast and the widespread destruction, reported sleepless nights and lingering fear. Eyewitness accounts painted a harrowing picture of chaos, panic, and human suffering in the immediate aftermath.

Children in the area described the blast as the loudest sound they had ever heard, while families recounted seeing cement fragments fall from ceilings and debris scatter across streets. Emergency services, including fire and medical teams, were deployed immediately to control fires, treat the injured, and manage the situation.

Moving Forward

The CCTV footage has provided a crucial piece of the puzzle for investigators attempting to reconstruct the events leading up to the blast. Combined with forensic analysis, witness statements, and tracing of the car’s ownership and movements, authorities hope to identify those responsible and prevent further incidents.

In the meantime, the area around the Red Fort remains under heightened security, with the public advised to avoid the vicinity. Authorities are also coordinating with Metro officials, traffic police, and other agencies to maintain safety and manage congestion in the heavily populated old city area.

As the investigation continues, both Delhi Police and the NIA have assured the public that every lead is being thoroughly examined, and that those responsible for this devastating incident will be brought to justice.

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