A devastating car explosion near Delhi's iconic Red Fort on Monday evening sent shockwaves through the capital, claiming at least nine lives and leaving a trail of destruction and despair. The blast, which occurred close to the Lal Quila metro station, plunged the city into a state of high alert as emergency services scrambled to respond.
Scene of Carnage at Lok Nayak Hospital
The emergency room of Lok Nayak Hospital became the epicenter of the tragedy's aftermath. For hours, a steady stream of victims arrived, some in ambulances and others in battery-operated rickshaws. The last patient was admitted as late as 11:30 PM, bringing the total number of injured to at least 30.
The corridors outside the treatment areas echoed with the heart-wrenching wails of grieving family members. Inside, medical teams worked against time. At least 15 doctors and 20 paramedical staff were deployed inside the emergency room, with an additional 10 doctors in the main casualty ward. Their efforts were focused on dressing wounds, conducting diagnostic procedures, and battling to save as many lives as possible.
Stories of Loss and Despair
The human cost of the blast became painfully clear through the stories of those affected. A woman was heard crying, "Mera bhai chala gaya" (My brother is gone), leaning on her husband, Nazim, for support. Nazim, aged 25, recounted how they had seen the news on television and tried to call his brother-in-law, who was at the spot, but received no answer.
Among the deceased was Amar Kataria, a 35-year-old pharmacist from Chandni Chowk. He was on his way to the Red Fort metro station when the explosion occurred, sustaining severe head injuries. His nephew revealed that a stranger had called to inform them that Kataria was being taken to the hospital.
Another life lost was that of 34-year-old Ashok Kumar, who worked for a private company. He had come to the metro station to meet an acquaintance from his village, a man named Lokesh. Tragically, while Ashok was identified among the dead, Lokesh remained missing. A friend, 64-year-old Sandeep Kumar, shared the grim detail that Lokesh's phone was found at the Red Fort police post, but he himself could not be located.
A Grim Toll and Unidentified Victims
The brutality of the explosion was evident in the condition of the victims. Officials reported that eight individuals were declared dead on arrival at the hospital. The blast's ferocity made identification a challenge for authorities. Sources indicated that at least three of the bodies were missing their upper torsos, and one victim's face was charred beyond recognition. An official somberly stated, "We have been unable to identify them," highlighting the profound tragedy faced by families awaiting news of their loved ones.
As Delhi reels from this attack, the city remains on high alert. Police have launched a full-scale investigation to determine the cause of the blast, while the nation mourns the lives tragically cut short near one of its most historic monuments.
