At least eight individuals lost their lives in a car explosion near the iconic Red Fort in a heavily populated area of New Delhi, as confirmed by a police spokesperson on Monday. The cause of the blast, a rare occurrence in the heavily guarded city with over 30 million residents, is currently under investigation, stated police representative Sanjay Tyagi. Following the incident, India’s financial hub Mumbai and the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh heightened their security measures. Reports from local media indicated that around 20 people sustained injuries in the explosion, with emergency services swiftly responding to the scene.
The aftermath of the explosion revealed mangled bodies and damaged vehicles strewn along a congested street close to a metro station in Old Delhi. Police swiftly secured the area, dispersing onlookers who had gathered at the scene. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha mentioned that the blast occurred shortly before 7 p.m. local time, originating from a slow-moving vehicle at a traffic signal. The explosion led to damage to nearby vehicles, Golcha informed reporters.
Both federal and state investigative bodies were present at the site, with Federal Home Minister Amit Shah briefed on the incident, as mentioned by Golcha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his sympathies to the affected families and wished a swift recovery to the injured individuals. He further assured that authorities were providing necessary assistance, following a review of the situation with Shah and other officials.
Subsequent to the blast, at least six vehicles and three auto-rickshaws caught fire, as detailed by Delhi’s deputy fire chief. The flames were successfully extinguished by firefighting teams. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes post-explosion, with people running in panic. The immediate aftermath saw a significant presence of ambulances, with the entire area cordoned off for safety measures. The remnants of damaged cars and a large crowd gathered in the vicinity, as reported by a witness.
The Red Fort, locally known as Lal Qila, is a historic 17th-century Mughal architectural marvel blending Persian and Indian styles, attracting tourists year-round. The fort serves as the venue for the prime minister’s annual address to the nation on India’s independence day, observed on August 15. Notably, Delhi has faced previous terrorist attacks during the 1980s and 1990s, primarily targeting public spaces like bus stations and markets. The city witnessed a major incident in 2011 when a briefcase explosion outside the Delhi High Court claimed several lives, marking the last significant attack in the capital.
