Panic in Delhi as Car Blast Kills 8 Near Tourist Hotspot

A powerful car explosion near the Red Fort, a major tourist hotspot in Delhi, has killed eight people and injured 19, sparking panic in the crowded Old Delhi area. The blast, which happened on Monday evening, has led to a high alert being declared in Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, and at major train stations across India.
The incident occurred at a red light outside the Red Fort metro station. Police said a car stopped at the light suddenly exploded, causing a massive fire that “blackened and burned” more than a dozen other vehicles. The Red Fort, a 17th-century Mughal palace, is one of India’s most significant monuments, and the area is usually “heaving with people.”
Witnesses described a “very strong explosion” and a scene of chaos. “I came out of the car and started running along with others on the road,” said a cab driver named Shahrukh. Another resident, Om Prakash Gupta, ran from his home to find “several vehicles on fire” and the gruesome sight of “body parts all over.”
The Indian government has launched a probe into the incident. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site and said the cause is not yet known, pending forensic analysis. “We do not consider any angle closed. We will investigate all angles with determination,” Shah stated. The registered owner of the car has reportedly been detained.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and confirmed he is reviewing the situation. This blast is a grim reminder of past attacks on the city, although such incidents have been rare in the last decade, with the last major one occurring in 2011.