Harrowing eyewitness accounts have emerged from a deadly car explosion in Delhi, with one resident, Om Prakash Gupta, stating he saw “body parts all over.” The blast, which killed eight people and injured 19, took place near the historic Red Fort on Monday night. Gupta, who lives nearby, said he “rushed out” after hearing the explosion to see the “horrific” scene of vehicles on fire.
The explosion was described as “very strong” by another witness, who felt shock waves in nearby buildings. This witness also recounted seeing a person’s body “torn into pieces” and a hand on the road. A cab driver, Shahrukh, simply said he heard the blast and “started running” along with others in a panic.
The incident occurred at a red light outside the Red Fort metro station. Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed that a car had stopped at the light when it exploded. The blast ignited a fire that destroyed more than a dozen other cars, rickshaws, and motorcycles, leaving them as blackened wrecks.
The investigation is being handled at the highest level. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the scene and said the cause is not yet known, pending forensic analysis. He assured a thorough probe, and the car’s registered owner has reportedly been detained for questioning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences. In response to the blast, a high alert has been declared for major transportation hubs, the city of Mumbai, and the state of Uttar Pradesh, as the capital grapples with the tragedy.