Ten people have died and several others have been injured in a severe car explosion that occurred near the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi on Monday evening. The blast, which took place at a busy traffic intersection, sparked panic, set nearby vehicles ablaze, and shattered windows in the Old Delhi area. Witnesses described the sound as a deafening roar accompanied by thick black smoke rising from the car’s wreckage.
Condemnation and sympathy have poured in from across the country, notably from the sports fraternity. Gautam Gambhir, renowned cricketer and head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, took to X to express his sorrow. He offered prayers for the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those wounded.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia, an Olympic bronze medallist, mourned the loss of innocent lives and strongly condemned the blast. He described it as a ‘heart-wrenching and devastating incident’ and pledged his support to the victims’ families. Punia urged the government to initiate an immediate, transparent, and impartial inquiry.
Adding her voice to the outpouring of sympathy, Olympian Vinesh Phogat also expressed her grief over the fatalities and extended her condolences to the affected families. The incident occurred amidst reports of security forces disrupting terror networks and recovering explosives.