At least eight individuals were tragically killed in a car explosion near the iconic Red Fort in a densely populated section of New Delhi, as confirmed by a police representative on Monday. The cause of the blast, a rare occurrence in the heavily guarded city with a population exceeding 30 million, is currently under investigation, stated police spokesperson Sanjay Tyagi. Following the incident, India’s financial hub, Mumbai, and the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh heightened security measures. Reports from TV channels indicated that around 20 people sustained injuries in the explosion, prompting swift ambulance responses.
The chaotic aftermath of the blast revealed mangled bodies and the wreckage of multiple vehicles strewn across a busy street near a metro station in Old Delhi. Police swiftly mobilized to secure the area and disperse onlookers. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha disclosed that the explosion occurred shortly before 7 p.m. local time, describing how a slow-moving vehicle at a traffic light was the epicenter of the blast, causing damage to nearby vehicles.
Federal and state investigative bodies swiftly arrived at the scene, with Federal Home Minister Amit Shah briefed on the situation by Golcha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his sympathies to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to the injured, emphasizing that authorities are offering assistance and that he has been closely monitoring developments with Shah and other officials.
Subsequent to the explosion, at least six vehicles and three auto-rickshaws caught fire, as reported by Delhi’s deputy fire chief. Eyewitness accounts described a scene of panic and chaos following the blast, with people fleeing in all directions. The area was swiftly cordoned off by authorities after the flames were extinguished, with the remnants of damaged vehicles and crowds visible.
The Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila, is an architectural marvel from the 17th century that amalgamates Persian and Indian design elements. A prominent tourist destination, the fort is where the prime minister addresses the nation annually on India’s Independence Day. Delhi has faced previous terror incidents in the past, notably during the 1980s and 1990s, with attacks primarily attributed to Islamist militants or separatists from Punjab. The city witnessed a major explosion outside the High Court in 2011, resulting in casualties.