Tragedy in Old Delhi: 8 Fatalities, 19 Injuries in Car Blast

A profound tragedy struck the Old Delhi area on Monday evening as a car explosion claimed the lives of eight people and left 19 injured. The blast occurred in a location that is typically “heaving with people,” just outside the historic Red Fort. The timing, just before 7 pm, ensured the area was crowded, leading to the high number of casualties.
The explosion was devastating in its impact. According to Delhi’s police commissioner, Satish Golcha, a car that had stopped at a red light near the metro station was the source. The blast sparked a major fire, which then spread to over a dozen other vehicles, including cars, rickshaws, and motorcycles, leaving them as blackened wrecks.
Emergency services, including a large contingent of fire engines and ambulances, rushed to the scene. The 19 injured victims were transported to a government hospital for care. Witnesses described a horrific scene of destruction and human suffering. One resident, Om Prakash Gupta, ran from his home to see “vehicles on fire” and “body parts all over,” including one body on a car’s windscreen.
The investigation is being treated with utmost seriousness. Home Minister Amit Shah, who reports to the Prime Minister, visited the site and stated that the cause is not yet known. He confirmed that all possibilities are being explored and that the registered owner of the car has been detained for questioning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
In response to the blast, a high alert has been issued for several key areas, including the financial hub of Mumbai and the large neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh. Major train stations are also under heightened security. This incident is the deadliest of its kind in Delhi in many years, deeply affecting the city.