At least eight individuals lost their lives in a car explosion near the historic Red Fort in a crowded part of New Delhi, India’s capital city, as confirmed by a police representative. The cause of the explosion, a rare occurrence in the highly guarded city with a population exceeding 30 million, is currently under investigation, stated Sanjay Tyagi, a police spokesperson. Following the incident, Mumbai, India’s financial hub, and Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state bordering Delhi, heightened security measures. Reports from television channels indicated that around 20 people sustained injuries in the blast, with ambulances swiftly responding to the scene.
The aftermath of the explosion revealed mangled bodies and damaged vehicles strewn along a congested 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 blast occurred just before 7 p.m. local time, describing a slow-moving vehicle at a red light where the explosion originated, causing damage to nearby vehicles.
Federal and state investigative agencies are actively present at the scene, with federal Home Minister Amit Shah receiving a briefing on the incident, as mentioned by Golcha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the swift recovery of the injured. Modi assured that authorities are providing necessary assistance to those affected and disclosed his coordination with Shah and other officials in managing the situation.
Deputy fire chief of Delhi reported that at least six vehicles and three auto-rickshaws caught fire during the incident, with firefighting teams successfully extinguishing the flames. Eyewitnesses, including Suman Mishra, recalled the chaos that ensued after the explosion, with people fleeing the scene in panic. The area was heavily secured post-fire extinguishing, with a significant presence of ambulances and remnants of damaged vehicles visible.
The Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila, an architectural marvel blending Persian and Indian styles from the 17th century, attracts tourists year-round and serves as the venue for the prime minister’s annual address on India’s Independence Day. Delhi has faced previous terrorist attacks in the past, notably during the 1980s and 1990s, with incidents targeting public places attributed to Islamist militants or separatists. The last major explosion in the city occurred in 2011 outside the Delhi High Court, claiming several lives.
