A scene of horror and chaos unfolded in Delhi on Monday night after a car explosion killed eight people and wounded 19. The incident took place near the historic Red Fort, with witnesses describing gruesome sights, including “body parts all over” the road. One resident, Om Prakash Gupta, said he saw a body on the windscreen of a car.
The blast occurred when a car stopped at a red light outside the Red Fort metro station. Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed the blast originated from this vehicle, sparking a fire that destroyed over a dozen other cars, rickshaws, and motorcycles. News footage showed a car with its doors blown off and people screaming in panic.
Another witness described the “very strong explosion” and its shock waves, which were felt in nearby buildings. “One person’s body was torn into pieces. I saw a hand on the road,” the witness told a news channel, highlighting the intensity of the blast. The 19 injured were rushed to a government hospital.
The investigation is being led by the federal Home Ministry. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site and stated that the cause is not yet known, pending forensic analysis. He assured a thorough probe, and the car’s registered owner has reportedly been detained.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the families of the deceased. In response to the attack, a high alert has been activated in Mumbai, the state of Uttar Pradesh, and at large train stations across India, as the capital comes to terms with this devastating incident.