NEW DELHI – A car explosion near the historic Red Fort in New Delhi killed at least eight people Monday evening, authorities said. The blast,a rare occurrence in the heavily guarded Indian capital of over 30 million,occurred on a congested street in the old quarter of the city.
Police spokesman Sanjay Tyagi stated the cause of the explosion is under examination. Following the incident, Mumbai, india’s financial capital, and Uttar Pradesh, the country’s most populous state bordering Delhi, were placed on high security alert, according to local media reports.
At least 20 people were injured in the explosion, with ambulances dispatched to the scene. Witnesses described mangled bodies and wrecked vehicles near a metro station.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said the blast took place minutes before 7 p.m. local time. “A slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle and due to the explosion,nearby vehicles were also damaged,” golcha told reporters.
The Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a prominent past landmark in Delhi, dating back to the 17th century during the Mughal era. It remains a meaningful symbol of India‘s past and a popular tourist destination.