A loud blast-like sound near Mahipalpur, close to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, triggered panic on Thursday morning. The incident happened just three days after a deadly explosion near the Red Fort killed 13 people and injured 20.
Police later confirmed that the sound came from a bus tyre burst, not an explosion. The incident occurred around 9:15 am near the Radisson Hotel in Mahipalpur, a busy area on the Delhi-Gurugram route. Residents and commuters, already tense after the Red Fort blast, reported hearing a powerful sound that shook nearby buildings. Within minutes, police and fire teams rushed to the spot.
The Delhi Fire Services received the first call at 9:19 am. Three fire tenders were sent immediately. “The caller reported a loud blast-like noise near Radisson. Our teams conducted a detailed search, but nothing suspicious was found,” a senior fire officer said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel said that initial panic was understandable given the current situation in the city. “We checked the entire area. During the local enquiry, a guard informed us that the rear tyre of a DTC bus going towards Dhaula Kuan had burst. The sound came from that. The situation is normal, and there is nothing to worry about,” Goel said.
Police confirmed that no damage or injury was reported. Fire officials also ruled out any trace of an explosion or chemical activity. The Delhi Police Control Room had received multiple calls within minutes of the incident, officials said. “People were scared because of the recent blast at the Red Fort. Our teams reached within minutes. After confirming the tyre burst, we informed all control rooms to avoid panic,” a senior police official added.
The city has been on high alert since Monday evening, when a white Hyundai i20 exploded near Red Fort, killing 13. The impact damaged several vehicles parked nearby. Following the blast, the area around the Red Fort remains cordoned off. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced on Thursday that the Lal Quila Metro station will remain closed till further notice due to security reasons.
“This is a precautionary measure,” a DMRC official said. Trains will continue to run on the Violet Line but will not stop at Lal Quila station.
Security has been tightened at major public places across the city, including Connaught Place, India Gate, and railway stations. Police have stepped up checks on vehicles entering central Delhi. Random frisking of passengers and bag checks have been intensified at metro stations. Meanwhile, officials urged citizens not to spread rumours or panic over unverified information. “We understand that people are tense. But spreading false messages on social media only adds confusion,” a senior police official said.
As Delhi continues to remain on edge, Thursday’s tyre burst incident highlighted the city’s heightened state of alertness. Police said they would maintain increased deployment and night patrolling across sensitive areas. For now, normalcy has returned to Mahipalpur. But the incident served as a reminder of the fear still lingering in the capital after Monday’s deadly blast.
