A car explosion near the historic Red Fort in India’s capital city has killed eight people and injured at least 19 others, police in New Delhi say.
Several fire trucks rushed to the scene after the blast was reported near one of the gates of the Red Fort metro station, the city’s fire services said on Monday.
The cause of the explosion remained unclear.
The owner of a car involved in an explosion has been arrested, broadcaster NDTV reported on Monday local time.
Om Prakash Gupta, who witnessed the incident and resides nearby, recounted the moment he heard a thunderous explosion while at home.
“I rushed out with my children and saw several vehicles on fire, body parts all over,” he told The Associated Press.
He said he saw one body on the windscreen of a car.
Sanjay Tyagi, a spokesman for the city’s police force, told The Associated Press that at least eight people were killed, and several others were injured.
“We are currently investigating the cause of the blast,” Gupta stated.
Authorities in India have launched a probe into a fatal car explosion in New Delhi. The incident has drawn significant attention, with reports sourced from AAP and Hindustan Times/Sipa USA.
Home Minister Amit Shah informed local media outlets that the explosion occurred when a Hyundai i20 detonated near a traffic signal, in close proximity to the iconic Red Fort.
Located six kilometres from the Parliament, it is where Indian prime ministers deliver their annual independence day speeches on 15 August.
The investigation is being conducted by the National Investigation Agency, India’s federal terror investigating agency, and other agencies.
