New Delhi: A powerful blast ripped through a busy intersection near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring 24 others. The explosion, which occurred around 6.52 PM, sent shockwaves across central Delhi and prompted a citywide security alert.

According to police, the blast originated from a slow-moving vehicle halted at a traffic signal near Gate 1 of the Metro station. The impact was so strong that nearby cars and autorickshaws caught fire, with flames and thick black smoke engulfing the area within seconds. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as bystanders fled in fear of more explosions.

“I heard a massive sound and saw windows shaking. When I looked outside, everything was on fire. People were screaming,” said a shopkeeper whose storefront faced the intersection.

Fire and emergency teams responded within minutes. Twenty fire engines brought the blaze under control by 7.29 PM. Victims were rushed to LNJP Hospital, where doctors confirmed that three of the injured remain in critical condition.

The Delhi Police have cordoned off the area, and teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), forensic experts, and the Special Cell are investigating the cause of the explosion. Senior officials said CCTV footage and mobile tower data are being examined to trace the origin of the blast.

Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were briefed on the situation, as security was tightened not only across Delhi but also in neighboring Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Maharashtra. Police have urged citizens to avoid spreading rumors and to report any suspicious activity immediately.

At least six cars and three autorickshaws were damaged in the explosion, which also shattered windows in nearby shops and houses. The blast disrupted evening traffic and Metro services in the area, with commuters diverted away from the Red Fort corridor.

The incident comes just hours after authorities recovered explosives and ammunition from a nearby district, fueling speculation about possible links between the two events. Officials, however, have urged caution, saying all possibilities are being examined.

By late evening, the charred remains of vehicles and debris lay scattered near the historic Red Fort — a chilling reminder of the city’s vulnerability to coordinated attacks. Forensic teams worked under floodlights, collecting samples as police officers moved through the crowd, taking witness statements.

“The investigation is at an early stage. We are not ruling out any angle, including a possible terror link,” a senior police official told reporters.

Authorities have promised a detailed briefing once preliminary findings are available. For now, Delhi remains on high alert, with additional checkpoints set up across major roads and metro stations.

This is a developing story.

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