NEW DELHI — A car explosion close to the Red Fort in New Delhi on Monday killed eight people and wounded at least 19 others, police said. The blast ignited a fire that damaged several parked vehicles and occurred near a gate of the Red Fort metro station, according to fire officials.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden, loud blast and chaotic scenes afterward. Om Prakash Gupta, a nearby resident, said he rushed out with his children after hearing the explosion and saw burning vehicles and human remains at the site. A taxi driver who identified himself as Shahrukh said he and others fled the area after hearing the blast.
Local media footage showed charred and mangled vehicles, shattered glass and a police cordon around the scene. Fire crews and emergency responders treated the injured and took them to a local government hospital, Delhi Police spokesman Sanjay Tyagi said.
Home Minister Amit Shah told reporters the vehicle involved was a Hyundai i20 and said authorities would review CCTV footage from the area as part of the probe. “We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation,” he said, adding that findings will be shared with the public.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences on X, saying he was saddened by the loss of life and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The Red Fort, a 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage site and major tourist attraction about six kilometers from Parliament, is the location where prime ministers traditionally deliver Independence Day addresses. The National Investigation Agency, India’s federal counterterrorism agency, along with other agencies, has taken charge of the investigation into the cause of the blast.