New Delhi: Nine people dead and at least 24 others injured after a high-intensity explosion tore through a car near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening, officials said. The blast was so powerful that three to four nearby vehicles caught fire and sustained severe damage.
The incident occurred around 7 pm near Gate No. 1 of Lal Qila Metro Station, prompting an immediate response from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) and police. The area was swiftly cordoned off, and teams from the Special Cell of Delhi Police reached the site to assess the damage and collect forensic evidence.
The explosion has once again revived haunting memories of multiple blasts that have targeted Delhi over the past two decades — from bustling markets to the city’s judicial complex.
Major Explosions in Delhi Over the Past Two Decades
- January 9, 1997: 50 people injured in a bomb blast opposite Delhi Police Headquarters at ITO.
- October 1, 1997: Two explosions near a procession in Sadar Bazar injured 30 people.
- October 10, 1997: One killed and 16 injured in blasts at Shantivan, Kauria Pul, and Kingsway Camp.
- October 18, 1997: Twin blasts in Rani Bagh market killed one and injured 23 others.
- October 26, 1997: Twin bomb blasts in Karol Bagh left one dead and 34 injured.
- November 30, 1997: Twin blasts near Red Fort killed three and injured 70.
- December 30, 1997: Four commuters killed and 30 injured in a bus explosion near Punjabi Bagh.
- July 26, 1998: High-intensity blast in a bus parked at ISBT Kashmiri Gate killed two and injured three.
- June 18, 2000: Two, including an eight-year-old girl, killed and 12 injured in twin blasts near Red Fort.
- May 22, 2005: One killed and 60 injured in serial blasts at two Delhi cinema halls.
- October 29, 2005: One of the deadliest attacks — three explosions across Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj, and Govindpuri killed over 59 and injured more than 100.
- April 14, 2006: Two explosions in Jama Masjid courtyard injured at least 14 people.
- September 13, 2008: Five coordinated blasts in Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, and Greater Kailash-I killed 25 and injured over 100 within 45 minutes.
- September 27, 2008: Three killed and 21 injured in a blast at Mehrauli flower market near Qutab Minar.
- May 25, 2011: Minor explosion in a car park outside Delhi High Court, no casualties reported.
A City Scarred Yet Resilient
Monday’s explosion near Red Fort adds another grim chapter to Delhi’s long and tragic history of blasts. While the cause of the explosion is still being investigated, security agencies are on high alert across the capital.
Officials have urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading rumours as investigations continue.