A massive blast on 10 November 2025 occurred in Old Delhi, just outside the Red Fort metro station, at gate number 1, around 6:52 pm. The blast was caused by a slow-moving vehicle, which had stalled at a red signal. The blast spread fire in adjacent vehicles, such as cars and auto-rickshaws, causing an uproar in the locality. Officials say that there are at least 8 killed and several others were injured. Witnesses said that they witnessed a tremendous shockwave and the drastic destruction of stores and vehicles around the area.
The reason behind the blast is yet to be discovered, and the police did not rule out foul play. The incident led to a high alert in the whole of Delhi, and there was heightened security in the neighbouring states, such as Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Forensic teams, NIA and other central agencies have been deployed to investigate. Given the location’s proximity to the historic Red Fort, a major tourist and heritage site, officials say the timing and placement of the blast raise serious security concerns.
Firefighters and paramedics rushed to save lives right away. Officials from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said that several fire trucks had been sent out to put out the fire and stop it from spreading to the nearby market area. Injured people were taken by ambulances from LNJP and AIIMS Trauma Centre to hospitals, while the area was quickly sealed off so evidence could be gathered, as well as controlling the crowd.
Eyewitness Accounts Paint a Grim Picture
Local residents and shopkeepers near the metro station described scenes of chaos following the explosion. A nearby shop owner stated, “There was a loud bang, and within seconds flames engulfed the vehicles. People started running in panic.” Another eyewitness added that the shockwave shattered glass windows in several stores, creating a cloud of smoke that made visibility near zero for several minutes.
Videos and images captured by passersby show burnt vehicles, shattered glass, and charred remains scattered across the road. The blast also damaged the metro station’s entrance and nearby signboards. Authorities temporarily halted metro services at Red Fort station to ensure public safety and to allow inspection of potential structural damage.
Security Agencies on High Alert
After the blast, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora and top Special Cell officers reached the spot to take control of the inquiries. The bomb disposal squad conducted a thorough sweep of the area to ensure no other explosive devices were present. Preliminary forensic examinations are being conducted on the vehicle parts to ascertain if improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or any flammable materials were used.
Central agencies such as NIA, IB (Intelligence Bureau), and NSG (National Security Guard) have joined this investigation. A senior police officer said, “It is too early to say whether this was an act of terrorism or an accident, but everything is being probed.”
Security has been stepped up in India Gate, Connaught Place, and Parliament Street with more patrols and vehicle checks. Metro stations, railway terminals, and busy markets across Delhi are all under heightened surveillance as part of precautionary measures.
Forensic Investigation Underway
Samples from the site will be taken to check for chemical and explosive residues. Officials say that traces are being examined by FSL team members to find out what kind of explosive material was used. Initial signs point towards a high-intensity blast because of the damage caused to metal and concrete structures in the vicinity.
Experts think that it resembles IED explosions, though localized confirmation is pending laboratory results. “The precision and timing indicate possible planning, but we can’t rule out accidental ignition,” said an FSL source.
The NIA is also looking through CCTV footage at the metro station and on roads nearby in order to track the movement of the vehicle before the explosion; they are checking if the number plate was real or stolen from another car.
Public Panic and Traffic Disruption
Traffic jams were created around Chandni Chowk, Daryaganj, and Kashmere Gate as police diverted vehicles away from the Red Fort area after huge crowds formed there. Metro commuters were evacuated safely with services resuming only after a two-hour suspension, while tourist movement has been restricted near the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid until further notice.
Hospitals treating the injured reported multiple cases of severe burn injuries, fractures, and trauma; medical teams have been placed on emergency duty. Psychologists from NGOs are also stepping in to offer trauma counselling for affected witnesses and families.
Capital on Edge
Memories of past explosions in crowded areas like Sarojini Nagar (2005) and Karol Bagh (2008) have resurfaced with this latest blast, leaving Delhi residents shaken. The city’s surveillance systems, vehicle checking mechanisms, and public awareness about suspicious activity need urgent enhancement.
By nightfall at Red Fort Metro, sniffer dogs were deployed as drones kept watch overhead with police present on every beat under tight security cover — forensic teams are likely to work all night gathering critical evidence.
Authorities have urged people to avoid spreading rumours on social media and to report any suspicious objects or persons immediately to the police.
