“We Just Want to Know If They’re Alive”: Families Wait in Anguish Outside LNJP Hospital After Delhi Blast

New Delhi, Nov 10:

Tears, panic, and desperate cries filled the corridors of LNJP Hospital on Monday night as families waited for news of their loved ones injured in the powerful explosion near Red Fort. The blast, which occurred at 6:52 p.m. near the traffic signal at Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila Metro Station, left at least eight people dead and 24 others injured. Several vehicles, including an e-rickshaw, were gutted in the fire that burned for nearly 40 minutes before firefighters brought it under control.

Outside the hospital, relatives stood in long lines, pleading for information. Many accused authorities of poor coordination and said they were not being allowed inside to identify or see the victims.

“My son went to visit the Gauri Shankar Temple with his friend Rahul Kaushik. Rahul was sent home after getting stitches on his head, but Ankush is still fighting for his life,” said a distraught father, his voice trembling. Ankush, he said, worked at a jewellery shop nearby.

Zeeshan Ansari, brother-in-law of Dawood, one of the injured, said, “He called me after the blast. We rushed here immediately, but we still haven’t been allowed to see him.”

For many, the nightmare began with a phone call from a stranger. Mohammad Danish, cousin of Sameer Khan — an auto-rickshaw driver caught in the explosion — said, “A man who didn’t even know us called to say Sameer was injured. Since then, we’ve been waiting outside, hoping for some news.”

As the night stretched on, the waiting area outside the emergency ward turned into a scene of silent prayers, unanswered questions, and unbearable uncertainty — a haunting reminder of the human cost behind every tragedy.