New Delhi, November 10, 2025: A powerful explosion ripped through a car near the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring several others. The blast, which occurred in the bustling area near Gate No. 1 of the historic Lal Quila Metro Station, was so intense that it shattered windows of vehicles parked meters away and caused nearby buildings and shops to tremble. Panic gripped the area as smoke and flames billowed from the scene, a location typically crowded with locals and tourists alike.

Eyewitnesses described the blast as extraordinarily loud and shocking. One local resident, who was at a nearby gurdwara at the time, recalled hearing a deafening sound and seeing several vehicles engulfed in flames. “We couldn’t make out what it was, it was that loud,” the witness said. “A number of vehicles nearby were completely damaged.” Another resident, present near a local shop, said the impact of the explosion caused the entire building to shake. “I had come here to buy something when I heard a huge blast. The whole shop trembled,” he told news agency PTI. “Several people were injured, and many were being taken away from the spot soon after.”

The explosion occurred at approximately 6:52 PM, during peak hours when traffic was slow-moving in the congested area. According to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, a car stopped at the red light near the metro station when the blast occurred. Multiple cars caught fire, and panic spread among the crowd that had gathered in the area, including tourists visiting the historic Red Fort and nearby Chandni Chowk market.

Visuals captured in the aftermath showed plumes of fire rising from the burning vehicles. Thick smoke engulfed the surroundings, creating a scene of chaos and fear. Seven fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the site, and the Delhi Fire Services confirmed that the fire was brought under control by 7:29 PM. Police quickly cordoned off the area and initiated checking drives in the vicinity to secure the site and prevent further danger.

Authorities identified the vehicle as a Hyundai i20 hatchback, but a senior Delhi Police officer clarified that it was too early to confirm whether the explosion was a bomb blast. “There is no crater at the spot, so we cannot say if it is a bomb explosion,” the officer said. He added that no pellets, splinters, or shrapnel were found, which are typically associated with explosive devices. The car, reportedly carrying two to three occupants, was completely mangled, and forensic teams are collecting samples to determine the exact cause of the blast.

Delhi Police, along with the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), and forensic experts, have joined the probe to investigate the explosion. A high alert was sounded across Delhi, and police intensified checking of vehicles and suspicious persons in crowded areas. Security measures were also enhanced in neighboring states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, amid fears of potential follow-up incidents.

The incident comes just hours after Haryana Police, in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir authorities, recovered around 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate, arms, ammunition, and timers from a rented house in Faridabad. The individual arrested in that operation, Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, a teacher at Al Falah University and reportedly wanted in a terror-related case in Srinagar, had been linked to the terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. While authorities have not confirmed any direct link between the Faridabad seizure and the Red Fort explosion, the proximity of these incidents has heightened alert levels across northern India.

Several vehicles were damaged in the blast, including six cars, two e-rickshaws, and one autorickshaw. Shops and offices in the area sustained minor structural damage due to the blast wave, and locals reported that the shock was felt in buildings several hundred meters away. Chandni Chowk Market, one of Delhi’s busiest shopping districts, was closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure, according to Sanjay Bhargaw, president of the market association. Bhargaw described the explosion as “feeling like an earthquake,” noting that buildings nearly 800 meters away shook violently during the blast.

Political leaders from across the country condemned the incident and expressed grief over the loss of lives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that the authorities were providing assistance to those affected. Home Minister Amit Shah said that all possibilities were being explored in the investigation, and CCTV footage from the area was being reviewed. Leaders from various parties, including Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi, Pawan Khera, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mamata Banerjee, and Rajnath Singh, issued statements urging citizens to remain calm while calling for swift and thorough investigation of the incident.

Eyewitness accounts from the scene painted a grim picture of the immediate aftermath. Many residents recounted seeing body parts strewn across the road, and several injured people being rushed to the nearby Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital. Zeeshan, an auto-rickshaw driver who sustained injuries from the blast, described how a car in front of him caught fire, leaving him unsure whether it was a bomb or some other form of accidental explosion. Emergency services acted quickly to transport the injured and contain the blaze.

The Red Fort, a 17th-century Mughal landmark, is not only a symbol of India’s heritage but also a highly frequented tourist site. Its proximity to a densely populated commercial area including Chandni Chowk made the explosion particularly alarming. Authorities emphasized that the area is under strict surveillance, with police and paramilitary forces maintaining heightened alert and patrolling the vicinity to ensure public safety.

Delhi Police officials have reiterated that while preliminary investigations point to the car as the source of the explosion, the exact cause—whether due to a mechanical fault, fuel tank mishap, or other factors—is yet to be determined. Forensic teams continue to analyze debris and collect evidence to ascertain the precise origin of the blast.

In the wake of the incident, multiple states, including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, have stepped up security measures. Punjab issued a red alert across all districts, directing police forces to remain vigilant at sensitive locations and increase patrolling in crowded areas. Similarly, other major cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Jaipur heightened surveillance to prevent potential copycat incidents.

The incident has reignited conversations about urban security and the protection of crowded public spaces in India. Experts point out that areas surrounding historical monuments, metro stations, and markets, especially during peak hours, require advanced surveillance and rapid emergency response protocols. The Red Fort blast underscores the need for heightened coordination between city police, disaster management agencies, and central investigative bodies to ensure swift response in densely populated urban environments.

Residents and business owners in the area described the sense of terror and helplessness immediately after the blast. Many people fled their homes and shops, while emergency responders struggled to navigate through panicked crowds. The visuals captured by local media showed thick plumes of black smoke rising over the congested neighborhood, multiple vehicles burning, and people running for safety. The combination of fire, structural damage, and human casualties left an indelible mark on witnesses and reinforced concerns about urban vulnerability to sudden explosive incidents.

The Delhi Red Fort blast, occurring just days before the Bihar assembly elections, also sparked intense discussions on social media about public safety, law enforcement readiness, and the potential for politically motivated attacks. While authorities continue to investigate all possibilities, including links to recent arms seizures in neighboring Haryana, officials have so far not confirmed a terror angle in the incident.

As the investigation proceeds, forensic experts, Delhi Police, and the National Security agencies are expected to release regular updates. The administration has urged the public to stay calm, avoid crowded areas, and follow official advisories to minimize risks. Citizens are also advised to report any suspicious vehicles or activity in and around critical urban zones.

In summary, the Red Fort car explosion represents a serious security incident in India’s capital, resulting in the loss of life, injuries, and extensive damage to property. While the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities have mobilized multiple agencies to ensure public safety, conduct a thorough probe, and prevent further incidents. The event has not only triggered widespread fear in Delhi but has also prompted neighboring states to enhance vigilance and review security protocols in sensitive areas.