The authorities have released the list of nine people killed and 20 injured in the Red Fort blast in Delhi, with only two victims identified so far and the remaining entries recorded as unknown individuals, including one listed only as an unidentified body part.
Ashok Kumar, 34, from The-Hasanpur in Mangolra, Amroha (UP), and Amar Kataria, 35, from Sriniwaspuri in Delhi, were the only two identified victims, while the remaining fatalities include seven unidentified individuals listed only by their estimated ages, 35, 52, 58, 28, 30 and 35, and one entry marked as an unidentified body part.
A blast occurred in a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near Red Fort around 7 pm.
The explosion injured multiple pedestrians and damaged several vehicles in the vicinity. Six cars, four motorcycles and three e-rickshaws caught fire following the blast, prompting panic in the area.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror after the blast, recalling how charred bodies lay scattered near the Red Fort.
Videos from the aftermath of the explosion showed flames spreading across a large area, bodies lying on the road, and people desperately pulling victims away from the fire.
CCTV video from the area also shows scenes of panic and chaos moments after the Delhi Red Fort blast.
The Delhi Fire Service said it received a call around 6.55 pm reporting an explosion and multiple vehicles ablaze. “Seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and the blaze was brought under control by 7.36 pm,” the statement said.
The impact of the blast was so powerful that a police post nearly 100 metres away was blown apart, and parts of the car were found scattered as far as 200 metres from the site.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the blast site, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said that a slow-moving vehicle had stopped at the traffic signal near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station when an explosion occurred at 6.52 pm.
The commissioner said teams from the Delhi Police, NSG, NIA and FSL were on the ground, with the Home Minister being briefed regularly.
According to preliminary reports, the owner of the vehicle is already in custody. Police are now questioning Salman, a Gurgaon resident in whose name the Hyundai i20 was registered, and he is learnt to have told investigators that he had sold the car to someone else about a year ago.
Police are working with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to ascertain the current owner.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived at Lok Nayak Hospital and held an urgent meeting with Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and senior officials.
Amit Shah said authorities had “launched a thorough investigation, keeping all angles open.” He said that as soon as the blast was reported, teams from the Delhi Police Special Cell, Crime Branch, NIA, SPG and the Forensic Science Laboratory reached the spot and were carrying out investigations at high speed.
“I hope our agencies will reach a conclusion on the cause of the blast within a short time. The senior-most FSL team has also arrived,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister had called him immediately after receiving the news.
“Tomorrow morning, a meeting will be held with senior officials at the Home Ministry,” he said.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Minister Ashish Sood also met the injured patients at the hospital.
Several agencies, including the NSG, Delhi Police, FSL teams and forensic experts, are jointly investigating the blast site. NSG personnel with sniffer dogs were seen inspecting the charred remains of the vehicle.
Relatives wait with no updates
Outside Lok Nayak Hospital, scenes were tense as dozens of relatives waited for news of their loved ones. Many complained that they were not being allowed to meet the injured or given any updates.
Bushra, a resident of Daryaganj, waited in anguish outside the hospital with her four-year-old daughter after learning that her husband, Shahanavas, a taxi driver, had been injured in the blast.
She said she received a call from an ambulance driver informing her of the incident and that his car had been set on fire and completely destroyed.
“Me and my daughter have been waiting for a long time, but they are not letting us go inside,” she said.
Relatives of two victims, Noman and Aman, residents of Shamli in Uttar Pradesh who had come to Sadar Bazar to shop for their business, were also deeply worried.
Their uncle Sonu said he had been able to trace only Aman so far.
“Aman is inside the hospital. We spoke to him briefly, but we still have no word about Noman,” Sonu said, adding that the family had been waiting for hours.
Intezar, whose cousin was injured, said he received a call from an unknown number informing him about the incident.
“My cousin Sameer, 26, was injured in the Delhi blast. He drives an auto-rickshaw. we haven’t been able to see him yet, ” he said, expressing that “There should at least be a help desk at the hospital. Everyone inside looks distressed.”
The sister of another victim, Juman, was seen in tears after repeatedly failing to get any information about her brother’s condition.
Relatives of Dinesh Mishra, were visibly distressed as they pleaded to be allowed inside the hospital after being repeatedly stopped at the entrance.
“If they let us in, only then will we get his information. He is my own brother and I am standing outside…will anyone from the administration tell us what his condition is? At least tell us how he is,” his brother said.
Investigation underway
Authorities have yet to announce the cause of the explosion, and forensic teams are currently examining the remains of the vehicle and debris from the site.
Officials said samples will be taken to the laboratory, and only after examination can anything be confirmed. Police said more details will be shared once the preliminary forensic report is ready.
Security tightened across Delhi
Meanwhile, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) said that security was heightened at all its installations, including metro stations, as the blast had occurred not too far from Gates 1 and 4 of the Lal Qila metro station on the Violet Line, which were subsequently shut down.
Additional personnel have been deployed at all government buildings, metro stations, and the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport.
“In the wake of the explosion, all installations secured by CISF including the Delhi Metro, Red Fort, government buildings and the IGI Airport have been placed on high alert. The situation is being constantly monitored and personnel are on standby,” read the CISF statement.
Leaders extend condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, saying he had reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah and senior officials. He wished the injured a speedy recovery and said authorities were assisting all affected families.
President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her sympathies, describing the blast as a tragedy and praying for the recovery of those injured.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta called the explosion “extremely distressing and alarming” and said that all necessary assistance was being extended to the victims. She urged residents to stay calm, avoid rumours and rely only on official updates as multiple agencies carried out a coordinated investigation.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called the car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station “extremely heartbreaking and concerning,” saying the deaths of several innocent people in the tragic incident were “profoundly sorrowful.”
“In this hour of grief, I stand with the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones and express my deepest condolences to them. I hope for the swift recovery of all the injured,” he said.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned what he termed a “heinous and cowardly” attack, saying Kerala stood in solidarity with Delhi. He urged authorities to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice without delay.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “deeply shocked” by the news and extended her prayers for both the families of the deceased and those battling injuries.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind president Syed Sadatullah Hussaini described the blast as a “crime against humanity,” expressing deep sorrow for the victims and calling for a transparent investigation to ensure such incidents do not recur.
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