Delhi: 8 dead in car blast near Red Fort; high alert sounded across city | India News
NEW DELHI: At least eight people were killed and 24 were injured in a car blast near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday. The explosion also triggered a fire that damaged three to four nearby vehicles.The incident occurred near Gate Number 1 of the station, the Delhi Fire Department told news agency ANI.“Eight of them died before reaching the hospital. Three are seriously injured. One is in stable condition,” Medical Superintendent, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital told ANI.
After the explosion, a high alert has been sounded in the Capital. Injuries are feared in the blast, reported news agency PTI. The injured, multiple in numbers, were rushed to the LNJP hospital, sources told ANI.A total of 7 fire tenders have reached the spot. A team from the Delhi Police Special Cell has also reached the site. The reason behind the explosion is not known yet.
Officials react to the blast
“As of now, I can’t tell you anything. Investigation is being done,” said a Delhi Police official.“It is too early to say anything. I am just going to the site,” Kishor Prasad, DIG CRPF said. “We got information that there was a blast in a car near Chandni Chowk Metro Station. We responded immediately, and seven units were sent to the spot. At 7.29 PM, the fire was brought under control. There is a possibility that there are casualties in this. All our teams are present at the spot,” deputy chief fire officer AK Malik told ANI.
Amit Shah speaks to Delhi top cop
Union home minister Amit Shah immediately spoke with the Delhi Police Commissioner after the incident. Teams from the NSG, NIA, and the forensic department were rushed to the spot. The home minister is continuously in touch with the IB Director.ALSO READ | Blast in parked car near Red Fort; videos show panic, chaos at site
‘Never heard such a loud explosion,’ says eyewitness
“I saw the flames from my house and then came down to see what had happened. There was a loud explosion. I live nearby,” said local resident Rajdhar Pandey told news agency ANI. “I never heard such a loud explosion ever in my life. I fell three times due to the explosion. It felt as if we were all going to die…” said a local shopkeeper.Another witness said: “When we came near, we saw body parts spread on the road. No one could figure out what happened. Several cars have been damaged”. He further said: “When we saw someone’s hand on the road, we were absolutely shocked. I can’t explain it in words.”
High alert in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra
Uttar Pradesh has been put on a red alert in the wake of a blast near the Red Fort Metro station. ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash said that the DGP has issued instructions to all senior officials in the state to increase security at sensitive religious sites, sensitive districts, and border areas. Police in all districts of Uttar Pradesh have been put on alert. An order was issued from Lucknow to increase patrols and checks in sensitive areas, Amitabh Yash told ANI. Maharashtra has also been put on high alert. ALSO READ | ‘Saw a hand on road’: Eye witnesses recount moments after Delhi blast – watch
