At least eight people have been killed and more injured after a car exploded near the Red Fort in Delhi, authorities have said. Delhi City police spokesperson, Sanjay Tyagi confirmed the deaths to the BBC, while the deputy fire chief reported that 19 others were injured, according to AFP.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, with Mr. Tyagi stating that they are exploring all possibilities. Police Commissioner Satish Golcha outlined that the incident took place at around 18:52 local time (13:52 GMT), when a slow-moving vehicle halted at a red light before detonating, causing damage to surrounding vehicles.
In response to the blast, Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh have been placed on high alert. The explosion occurred close to a metro station and the historic Red Fort, a significant tourist attraction and site for annual Independence Day addresses by Indian prime ministers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims' families, and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called the incident extremely heartbreaking. Home Minister Amit Shah detailed that the blast originated in a Hyundai i20 car and emphasized that teams from the National Security Guard and National Investigation Agency would thoroughly investigate the matter as forensic experts joined the efforts.
Witnesses reported a chaotic scene following the explosion, with one individual describing the moment as surreal, where everything felt like it paused briefly before chaos ensued. Local residents rushed to assist the injured amidst sight of burning debris.
In light of the tragedy, security measures are being intensified at sensitive sites and borders in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which is known for its high population density and tourist destinations like the iconic Taj Mahal.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, with Mr. Tyagi stating that they are exploring all possibilities. Police Commissioner Satish Golcha outlined that the incident took place at around 18:52 local time (13:52 GMT), when a slow-moving vehicle halted at a red light before detonating, causing damage to surrounding vehicles.
In response to the blast, Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh have been placed on high alert. The explosion occurred close to a metro station and the historic Red Fort, a significant tourist attraction and site for annual Independence Day addresses by Indian prime ministers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims' families, and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called the incident extremely heartbreaking. Home Minister Amit Shah detailed that the blast originated in a Hyundai i20 car and emphasized that teams from the National Security Guard and National Investigation Agency would thoroughly investigate the matter as forensic experts joined the efforts.
Witnesses reported a chaotic scene following the explosion, with one individual describing the moment as surreal, where everything felt like it paused briefly before chaos ensued. Local residents rushed to assist the injured amidst sight of burning debris.
In light of the tragedy, security measures are being intensified at sensitive sites and borders in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which is known for its high population density and tourist destinations like the iconic Taj Mahal.
