Massive Car Explosion Near Red Fort, Delhi — At Least 8 Dead, Dozens Injured; High Alert Issued Across States

A powerful explosion ripped through a passenger car near the Red Fort (Lal Qila) Metro Station in New Delhi on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring many others. Emergency services rushed to the scene; security agencies including the Anti-Terror Squad, NIA-linked teams, FSL and specialized contingents have been deployed while Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra were put on high alert. The cause remains under investigation.

What happened — the facts so far

When & where: The blast occurred on Monday evening at or near the Red Fort Metro Station gate (Lal Quila area), a heavily trafficked tourist and transit zone in Old Delhi.

Casualties: Officials report at least 8 dead and about two dozen (reported variably as 24) injured; numbers may change as authorities update their counts.

Immediate aftermath: The explosion set nearby parked vehicles on fire, shattering windows in the vicinity and creating scenes of chaos as bystanders fled and emergency responders arrived. Multiple fire tenders and ambulances responded.

(Load-bearing facts citations: casualty count, location, emergency response, agencies, high alerts.)

Response from authorities

Delhi Police & Fire Services: Police cordoned off the area; Delhi Fire Services reported several fire tenders at the scene and that nearby vehicles caught fire. The police indicated the explosive incident occurred in a slow-moving car that stopped at a red light moments before the blast.

Investigating agencies on site: Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams, the Anti-Terrorist units, and National Investigation Agency (NIA) resources — and in some reports the NSG — have been called in to investigate and secure evidence. CCTV footage from the area is being reviewed.

State & federal coordination: Authorities issued high alerts across Delhi and neighboring states; security at religious sites, sensitive districts and border areas was reinforced. Central security agencies are coordinating with local police.

Eyewitness accounts & on-ground reporting

Multiple eyewitnesses described a sudden, loud blast and an instant fireball; people in the vicinity reported seeing body-parts and heavy damage to vehicles, and pedestrians fleeing in panic. News channels and reporters at the scene captured video of flames and extensive smoke with emergency crews attempting rescue and crowd control. (Video coverage and eyewitness interviews are available from NDTV, India Today and other outlets.)

Impact: transport, tourism and public life

Metro & roads: The Red Fort/Lal Quila metro access and surrounding roads were immediately sealed; traffic diversions and metro service checks are reported. Commuters should expect delays around Old Delhi and central routes.

Tourism & historic sites: As the Red Fort is both a UNESCO-listed heritage monument and a major tourist magnet, authorities temporarily restricted public access and reviewed security around monuments.

Public safety posture: Heightened security at religious sites and crowded public places was ordered in multiple states, reflecting concern about possible follow-up threats or copycat incidents.

Possible motives & what investigators will check

Authorities have not yet stated a motive. Investigators will likely focus on:

Forensic analysis of blast residue and vehicle remains to determine the explosive type and initiation method.

CCTV and mobile-camera footage to map the car’s approach, occupancy and any suspicious persons or dropped objects.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and traffic camera feeds to identify vehicle origin and movements.

Intelligence inputs for any claims of responsibility or chatter pointing to extremist groups, criminal gangs or accidental causes (e.g., gas cylinder/vehicle malfunction).

Investigators will avoid premature attribution until lab tests and forensic evidence are complete.

Context & background: why Red Fort matters

Red Fort is an iconic national monument in the heart of Delhi — a high-value symbolic location frequently used for national ceremonies and widely visited by tourists. Any security breach near such sites raises concern for public safety and symbolic targeting. Past incidents in the capital have kept security agencies vigilant; this event will prompt immediate reassessments of urban security protocols and perimeter protection.

Journalistic verification & what we DO / DON’T know

We know: the location (near Red Fort metro), the immediate casualty estimates (8 dead, dozens injured reported), emergency response and that specialized agencies are investigating.

We don’t (yet) know: the definitive cause or motive (terror attack vs. accidental ignition), final confirmed casualty figures (may change), or whether any group has claimed responsibility. Avoid repeating unverified rumors; rely on official confirmations from police, NIA or government spokespeople as they arrive.