At least eight people have been killed and 19 others were injured after a car exploded in the Indian capital New Delhi, say police.
The blast, which triggered a fire that damaged several parked vehicles, happened near the gates of the metro station for the Red Fort, a former imperial palace and busy tourist spot.
New Delhi’s international airport, metro stations and government buildings were put on a high security alert after the explosion, the government said. The cause of the explosion is being investigated.
The city’s police commissioner, Satish Golcha, said the incident happened a few minutes before 7pm.
Police officers and forensic technicians work at the site of the explosion. Pic: Reuters
“A slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion,
nearby vehicles were also damaged,” he told reporters.
One resident, who did not give their name, told NDTV: “We heard a big sound, our windows shook.”
Sanjay Tyagi, a Delhi police spokesman, said they were still investigating the cause, while the fire service reported that at least six vehicles and three autorickshaws had caught fire.
Images show the burnt-out remnants of several cars, as forensic officers worked at the scene.
Home minister Amit Shah told local media that a Hyundai i20 car exploded near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort. He said CCTV footage from cameras in the area will form part of the investigation.
“We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account,” Mr Shah said. “All options will be investigated immediately, and we will present the results to the public.”
The investigation is being carried out by the National Investigation Agency, India’s federal terror investigating agency, and other agencies.
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The scene was sealed off. Pic: Reuters
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast.
He posted on X: “May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities.
“Reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah Ji and other officials.”
At least eight killed in India car explosion
