The United Kingdom government has issued a travel advisory for its citizens following a deadly explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening that killed 13 people and injured 21 others.
According to officials, the explosion occurred around 7 pm near one of the gates of Lal Qila Metro Station at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, when a Hyundai i20 car suddenly exploded. The blast caused several nearby vehicles to catch fire, leading to widespread panic.
“If you’re in the immediate area, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media,”
the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) stated in its official advisory released hours after the incident.
UK Advisory Highlights
The FCDO warned British nationals that their travel insurance could be invalidated if they travel against official advice.
It reiterated earlier restrictions, cautioning against all travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border and discouraging non-essential travel to parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg, except air travel to and from Jammu city.
The advisory also urged travelers to avoid visiting Manipur, citing ongoing curfews and sporadic violence following the 2023 ethnic clashes, with intermittent unrest continuing through mid-2025.
Security Tightened in Delhi
Following the blast, Delhi Police and security agencies have stepped up measures across the national capital, especially near borders, metro stations, and high-footfall zones.
Authorities have closed the Red Fort to visitors for three days, while the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) temporarily shut Lal Qila station on the Violet Line for security reasons.
The Delhi Fire Services received a call about the explosion near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila metro station and quickly dispatched multiple fire tenders to control the blaze.
Investigation Underway
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said a “slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light” before the explosion.
“An explosion happened in that vehicle, and nearby cars were damaged. All agencies, including FSL and NIA, are investigating,” Golcha stated.
Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting on Tuesday, attended by the Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director, NIA Director General, and Delhi Police Commissioner.
Authorities have placed all railway stations in Delhi NCR — including New Delhi, Old Delhi, Anand Vihar, Hazrat Nizamuddin, and Ghaziabad — on high alert.
Security has been intensified nationwide as investigators continue to trace the cause and possible links behind the explosion.
