'Don't know how long it will take to heal' New Delhi blast survivors reveal life-altering trauma

The explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday (10) evening claimed 13 lives and left several others seriously injured, creating long-lasting trauma for survivors whose futures now feel uncertain. For many, the blast has destroyed not only their physical well-being but also their sense of stability, leaving behind pain, fear, and financial strain.

Among the worst affected is 32-year-old Ankush Sharma from Shahdara, who had gone to visit the Gauri Shankar Mandir in Chandni Chowk when the explosion ripped through the area. His brother, Ankit Sharma, said the incident has turned Ankush’s life upside down. Ankush has permanently lost one eye, suffered multiple fractures, undergone plastic surgery, and remains in the ICU as doctors continue to monitor his condition.

Rohit, a cab driver and the sole income provider for his family, had stopped in the market for a quick meal when the blast erupted. Speaking from his hospital bed, he recalled the moment everything went dark after he fell to the ground. With severe injuries restricting his mobility, he now fears how long it will take before he can work again.

Supporting his parents, his wife, and his eight-year-old daughter, he worries about how his family will manage in the months ahead. “My body is not fully functional right now. I don’t know how long it will take to heal,” he said.

Another survivor, Rita, had visited Chandni Chowk to meet a relative when she stopped at a watch shop on her way back. She had just stepped forward to cross the street when the blast shook the entire area. Her sister, Anju, said Rita fell instantly, and even the cab driver who came to pick her up was injured. The family remains shaken but grateful that she survived.