Deadly Car Explosion Near Delhi’s Red Fort Kills 8, Injures 19; Probe Underway
NEW DELHI — A powerful car explosion near the historic Red Fort in India’s capital on Monday killed eight people and injured at least 19 others, according to New Delhi police. The blast ignited a fire that engulfed several nearby vehicles and shattered windows near one of the gates of the Red Fort Metro Station.
Authorities said the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, with a high-level probe led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and local police.
Following the incident, security was heightened across New Delhi, including at the international airport, metro stations, and key government buildings.
Eyewitness Accounts
Residents reported hearing a loud explosion that sent people fleeing in panic.
“I rushed out with my children and saw several vehicles on fire, body parts all over,” said Om Prakash Gupta, a nearby resident. “One body was lying on a car’s windscreen.”
Another witness, Shahrukh, a cab driver, said: “I heard a huge blast and started running. The whole area was in chaos.”
Officials Respond
Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the explosion involved a Hyundai i20 near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort. “We are examining all possibilities and reviewing CCTV footage from the area,” Shah said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on social media, writing:
“Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest.”
Historic Site on High Alert
The 17th-century Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India’s most iconic landmarks, is a major tourist destination. Located about six kilometers (3.7 miles) from Parliament, it is where the Prime Minister delivers the Independence Day address each August 15.
Images from the scene showed mangled vehicles, broken glass, and thick plumes of smoke rising into the evening sky as police cordoned off the area.
Officials said the NIA, along with the Delhi Police Special Cell, is conducting a detailed forensic and counterterrorism investigation to determine whether the blast was accidental or deliberate.
