At least eight people were killed and 11 others injured after an explosion ripped through a crowded street near the historic Red Fort in New Delhi on Sunday, police said.
The blast occurred inside a car close to the Lal Qila metro station, in one of the capital’s busiest old quarters. The cause of the explosion remains unclear, though police have launched an investigation and cordoned off the area.
“We are examining all angles. The forensic team is on site,” city police spokesperson Sanjay Tyagi told reporters.
Footage broadcast by local media showed flames engulfing several vehicles as thick smoke filled the narrow street. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, where at least six cars and three autorickshaws were reported to have caught fire. The Delhi Fire Service said the blaze had been contained after several hours.
Residents described a loud, shattering noise that sent people running for cover. “We heard a big sound, our windows shook,” one witness told NDTV. “When we came out, everything was burning.”
Police struggled to disperse large crowds that gathered around the site despite warnings to stay back. Ambulances and fire trucks lined the street as authorities evacuated nearby shops and homes.
The Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India’s most visited landmarks, was not damaged in the incident. The 17th-century Mughal fortress is a symbol of India’s independence, where prime ministers traditionally deliver speeches on national holidays.
Officials said forensic experts were collecting debris and vehicle fragments to determine whether the explosion was accidental or deliberate. No group has claimed responsibility.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office said he was being briefed on the situation as security was tightened across key sites in the capital.
