NEW DELHI: A high-intensity blast in a parked Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening left at least nine people dead and several vehicles charred. The explosion triggered a fire that quickly spread to nearby cars.
The incident occurred near Gate Number 1 of the station, the Delhi Fire Department told news agency ANI.
"Eight of them died before reaching the hospital," Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital's medical superintendent told news agency ANI.
Videos shared by the Chandni Chowk Traders’ Association captured the scale of the explosion. One clip showed a body lying on a vehicle, while another appeared to show a body on the road. Eyewitnesses said human remains were visible near the site of the blast.
"Six cars, two e-rickshaws and one autorickshaw were gutted in the fire," said a fire department official told PTI.
After the explosion, a high alert has been sounded in the Capital. The injured, multiple in numbers, were rushed to the LNJP hospital, sources told ANI.
A total of 7 fire tenders have reached the spot. A team from the Delhi Police Special Cell has also reached the site. The reason behind the explosion is not known yet.
Hyundai i20 car owner detained
Delhi Police on Monday detained the owner of a Hyundai i20 car in which an explosion occurred near the Red Fort, an official told news agency PTI. The police have detained the car's owner, identified as Md Salman, in Haryana's Gurugram.
Salman had sold his car to a person in Okhla, the official said, adding that the car was registered in his name and had a Haryana registration number plate.
“Delhi Police along with Gurugram police detained Md Salman on Monday and is questioning him about the car. He had sold it to a person in Okhla named Devendra. Later, the vehicle was again sold to someone in Ambala and police are tracing the people,” a senior police officer told PTI.
Home minister visits blast site
Amit Shah visited the blast site with the Delhi top cop. Prior to his visit to the site, Shah said: After taking the preliminary information, I also briefed the Prime Minister. I am leaving from here to visit the site, and tomorrow morning, a meeting will be conducted with a team of senior officials at the home ministry to investigate the details".
Amit Shah meets blast victims
The union home minister also met the victims of the blast before holding a meeting with the top cops. After meeting the victims, Shah said, "I hope our agencies will reach a conclusion on the cause of the blast within a short time".
PM Modi takes stock of the situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation. Home minister Amit Shah briefed the Prime Minister, said GoI sources.
Amit Shah speaks to Delhi top cop
Earlier, Amit Shah spoke with the Delhi Police Commissioner after the incident. Teams from the NSG, NIA, and the forensic department were rushed to the spot. The home minister is continuously in touch with the IB Director
Officials react to the blast
- "As of now, I can't tell you anything. Investigation is being done," said a Delhi Police official.
- "It is too early to say anything. I am just going to the site," Kishor Prasad, DIG CRPF said.
- "Today 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. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here... Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored. The Home Minister has also called us, and information is being shared with him from time to time," Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha told ANI.
- "We got information that there was a blast in a car near Chandni Chowk Metro Station. We responded immediately, and seven units were sent to the spot. At 7.29 PM, the fire was brought under control. There is a possibility that there are casualties in this. All our teams are present at the spot," deputy chief fire officer AK Malik told ANI.
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