New Delhi, Nov 10: Panic gripped the area around Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening after a powerful explosion ripped through a parked car, sparking a massive fire and damaging several nearby vehicles. At least 13 people have died in the explosion, officials said.
According to Delhi Fire Services (DFS), seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot soon after reports of the blast came in around the Red Fort metro station, gate number 1. The entire area was cordoned off by police as firefighters battled flames from several burning cars.
“The blast was of high intensity and could be heard several metres away. Windows of nearby vehicles were shattered, and panic spread in the congested locality,” a senior DFS official said.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos moments after the explosion. “I was at the gurdwara when I heard a deafening sound. A number of vehicles nearby were completely damaged,” said one witness.
Authorities have sounded a high alert across the national capital following the incident. Security agencies and forensic teams have been deployed to determine the nature and cause of the explosion.
Preliminary reports suggest that the car was parked near the Red Fort for some time before the blast occurred, though officials have not confirmed whether it was accidental or deliberate.
