NEW DELHI: A powerful explosion outside the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening left the area in chaos, with eyewitnesses describing scenes of destruction and panic. The blast, which was felt from a distance, shattered windows and sent debris flying.

Vinod Kumar, a coolie from Bhagirath Palace, said, "I heard the voice 300 metres away. We came out and saw people running. I have never heard such a loud blast in my life. It felt as if we were all going to die." Local shopkeepers and passersby were seen fleeing in different directions, leaving behind personal belongings like slippers and shoes.

Jamna, a 50-year-old woman, was seen crying near a barricade, desperately searching for her son, Arjun, who sells flowers nearby. "I can't find him now..." she said, trembling with fear.

The police quickly cordoned off the area, setting up barricades as shopkeepers tried to locate their vehicles and ensure the safety of their loved ones. Akshay, a businessman whose shop was just 200 metres away, remarked, "No one could figure out what happened. It felt like the ground was shaking. People said it was a CNG blast, but it felt like something else..."

Amid the chaos, some individuals stepped up to help the injured. Chander Prakash and his friend Abhijeet Singh rushed to assist those hurt, recalling the moment they heard the blasts. "We heard two loud blasts, and then there was mayhem — people screaming, fireballs everywhere," Prakash said.

Jai, a watch shop owner, narrowly escaped the blast, stating, "I parked my scooty some distance away and took an e-rickshaw. Within a minute, I heard a noise so loud my ears got blocked. Then I saw car parts flying and scattered body parts."

As night fell, the usually bustling area was eerily quiet, with police and emergency teams working to manage the aftermath of the explosion. Eyewitness accounts reflect the shock and fear experienced by those present during the incident, highlighting the urgent need for safety and security in crowded urban spaces.