Deadly Blast Rocks Indian Capital
A devastating car explosion has claimed at least eight lives and left twenty others injured in the Indian capital of Delhi. The incident occurred on Monday night near the historic Red Fort monument, sending shockwaves through the city and prompting a major security response.
The explosion took place at approximately 7pm local time (1330 GMT) close to the Red Fort metro station. According to Delhi police commissioner Satish Golcha, a slow-moving vehicle had stopped at a traffic signal when the blast occurred. "An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged," Golcha confirmed to reporters.
Chaotic Aftermath and Emergency Response
The force of the explosion was powerful enough to send shock waves through nearby buildings and caused significant damage to the surrounding area. Dozens of fire engines and ambulances rushed to the scene as emergency services battled fires and attended to the wounded.
Television footage from Indian news channels showed harrowing scenes of the aftermath, including a car with its doors completely blown off, multiple blackened and burned vehicles, and distressed witnesses. One eyewitness told NDTV: "One person's body was torn into pieces. I saw a hand on the road. It was a very strong explosion."
Police have confirmed that the owner of the vehicle involved has been arrested as investigations continue into the cause of the blast.
National Security Response and Official Reactions
The explosion prompted immediate security alerts across several Indian states. The city of Mumbai was placed on "precautionary" high alert, while neighbouring states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab increased security at religious sites and sensitive border areas.
India's Home Affairs Minister, Amit Shah, visited the blast site and stated that authorities were considering all possibilities. "We do not consider any angle closed. We will investigate all angles with determination," Shah said, adding that it remained "difficult to say what caused the incident until the samples recovered from the blast site are analysed."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on social media platform X that he was reviewing the situation with Shah, offering "condolences to those who have lost their loved ones" and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The Red Fort, or Lal Qila, is one of India's most significant historical monuments—a 17th-century Mughal palace where the Prime Minister delivers the annual Independence Day address. Located in the densely populated Old Delhi area, the site is typically crowded with tourists, food stalls, and vehicles, making the timing and location of the explosion particularly concerning for authorities.
