Metal shard in abdomen, clothes socked in blood - Delhi auto driver’s 4-km ride for survival after Red Fort blast

The blast occurred when a white Hyundai i20, which had been parked near the Subhash Marg traffic signal for nearly two hours, suddenly exploded. (Image credit: X)

A powerful explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening, killed at least 13 people and left several injured. Eyewitnesses said the explosion was so loud that it was heard several kilometres away. “Cylinder fat gaya hai!” (“The cylinder has burst!”) shouted one factory worker as chaos unfolded.

Pieces of the vehicle were flung across the road, damaging nearby cars and injuring pedestrians. The Red Fort area, usually busy with traffic and tourists, turned into a scene of horror within seconds.

The blast occurred when a white Hyundai i20, which had been parked near the Subhash Marg traffic signal for nearly two hours, suddenly exploded. The exact cause of the explosion is still being investigated.

Among those injured was 40-year-old autorickshaw driver Avdhesh Mandal, who showed courage despite being severely hurt. With a metal shard lodged in his abdomen and his clothes soaked in blood, Mandal managed to drive his own vehicle for over four kilometres to reach Sushruta Trauma Centre, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

Originally from Bihar, Mandal lives in a rented flat in Nehru Nagar, South Delhi, with close friends who rushed to the hospital upon hearing the news.

Another victim, a 28-year-old man visiting Delhi from Chennai for work, was thrown off his autorickshaw by the force of the blast while on his way to Kashmere Gate.

“He called us using someone else’s phone and said he was injured… He reached the hospital on his own and has hurt his legs. He’s stable, that’s all we know so far,” his father was quoted by HT as saying.

Police have registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act. Security has been tightened across the capital, with heightened checks at airports, railway stations, and bus terminals.