Red Fort Delhi Blast: Chandni Chowk Market, Lal Qila Metro Station Shut Today; Red Fort Closed for Three Days

A powerful explosion near Delhi's historic Red Fort on Monday evening has left at least 13 people dead and over two dozen injured, prompting authorities to temporarily close the iconic monument and tighten security across the national capital.

Red Fort Delhi Blast: Lal Qila Metro Station Explosion

According to Delhi Police, the blast occurred around 6:52 PM near the Lal Qila Metro Station, one of the busiest areas in Old Delhi, when a white Hyundai i20 car exploded with high intensity, setting multiple vehicles on fire. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as flames engulfed nearby vehicles and thick smoke filled the air.

The Delhi Fire Services received an emergency call around 7 PM regarding the explosion near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila Metro Station. Several fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the site to control the blaze and assist in rescue operations.

Delhi Blast Hyundai i20 Explosion: Red Fort Closed for Three Days; Lal Qila Metro Station Shut Temporarily

Following the incident, the Delhi Police issued a notice on November 11 announcing that the Red Fort (Lal Qila) will remain closed to the public for three days, reopening on November 14. The Lal Qila Metro Station has also been temporarily shut down due to security reasons.

"Lal Qila Metro Station is closed due to security reasons. All other stations are functional as normal," the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday morning.

In response to the deadly explosion, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has heightened vigilance across all major installations in Delhi-NCR, including Red Fort, IGI Airport, Delhi Metro, and various government offices.

Delhi Police and central security agencies conducted overnight raids at multiple locations, including hotels in Paharganj and Daryaganj, in search of suspects linked to the incident. CCTV footage from areas surrounding the blast site is being scrutinised and hotel guest records are under review as part of the investigation.

Lal Qila Blast: Chandni Chowk Market Closed Today

The Chandni Chowk market, one of Delhi's busiest commercial hubs located adjacent to the Red Fort, will remain closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure.
"Given the tragic events near Red Fort, Chandni Chowk market will be closed today to ensure safety and facilitate the ongoing investigation," said Sanjay Bhargaw, president of the Market Association.

The area typically sees nearly half a million visitors daily, including shoppers and tourists, making security management crucial following the blast.

Delhi Blast Investigation Underway

Senior police officials, along with forensic teams and the National Security Guard (NSG), have cordoned off the area and are examining the blast site for evidence. Preliminary reports suggest the explosion may have originated from within the car, though authorities have not yet confirmed whether it was accidental or an act of terror.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves across the city, with heightened security alerts and increased patrolling near major landmarks and public places.

Authorities have appealed to citizens to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information on social media as investigations continue.