A deadly car explosion in Delhi has killed eight people and injured 19, leading authorities to declare a high alert in the financial capital of Mumbai and the entire state of Uttar Pradesh. Large train stations across India have also been placed on high alert as a precautionary measure following the blast near the capital’s historic Red Fort.
The incident took place on Monday evening. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said a slow-moving car had stopped at a red light near the Red Fort metro station when it exploded. The blast ignited a major fire, which quickly spread, damaging and burning over a dozen other vehicles, including cars, autorickshaws, and motorcycles.
Emergency services were scrambled, with dozens of fire engines and ambulances arriving at the scene. The 19 injured people were rescued from the chaos and transported to a government hospital. Witnesses described a terrifying scene, with one local resident, Om Prakash Gupta, telling reporters he saw “several vehicles on fire” and “body parts all over.”
The investigation is being closely monitored by the highest levels of government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated he is reviewing the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah, who has already visited the blast site. Shah noted that the cause of the explosion is still unknown and that “all angles” are being investigated. The car’s registered owner has reportedly been detained.
The location, in the heavily congested Old Delhi area, is a popular tourist destination. The Red Fort itself is a 17th-century Mughal palace and a significant national monument. This blast is the most serious in Delhi in over a decade.