A high-intensity car explosion rocked central Delhi’s historic Red Fort area at precisely 6:52 PM, killing eight people and injuring 24 others in a matter of seconds. The blast occurred as the vehicle was moving slowly near a red light outside Gate No. 1 of Lal Quila Metro station, a crowded tourist hub just 1.1 km from Jama Masjid and metres from Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib.

Eyewitnesses described a horrific scene: one man, trembling as he spoke to NDTV directly in front of the Red Fort, said a victim’s body was “torn into pieces” with a severed hand lying on the road before him. The explosion’s deafening roar left his ears ringing, while multiple nearby cars burst into flames, sending shockwaves that rattled windows and doors across Old Delhi’s densely packed lanes.

The ferocity of the blast triggered an immediate emergency response, with seven fire tenders rushing to the scene after the first call was received. Deputy Fire Officer AK Malik confirmed that the raging fire, which engulfed several vehicles, was finally brought under control at 7:29 PM—37 minutes after the detonation. “It was a high-intensity blast,” said Malik underscoring the scale of destruction in one of the capital’s most congested heritage zones.

Another resident who witnessed a massive fireball from his terrace near the gurdwara ran downstairs to find charred wreckage and scattered debris, while a third onlooker told NDTV the explosion felt like it involved more than one vehicle. Nearly a dozen ambulances ferried the injured to hospitals amid chaotic scenes in Purani Dilli’s narrow streets.

Also Read: #BreakingNews: Car Explosion Near Red Fort Kills 8, Injures 24; Multiple States on High Alert

As night fell over the capital, the incident revived memories of past security breaches in crowded public spaces, prompting heightened alertness across Delhi. Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the blast’s origin, but the precision of the 6:52 PM timing and the moving vehicle have raised immediate questions about intent. With the site still sealed and investigations ongoing, residents and tourists have been urged to avoid the Red Fort area while the city grapples with the shock of yet another deadly explosion in its historic heart.

Also Read: #BreakingNews: Car Explosion Near Red Fort Kills 8, Injures 24; Multiple States on High Alert