The cause of a deadly car explosion that killed eight people and injured 19 in Delhi remains unknown, authorities said. Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the scene near the Red Fort, stated that it is “difficult to say what caused the incident” until forensic samples from the blast site are analyzed. However, he confirmed “all angles” are being investigated.
The explosion happened on Monday evening just before 7 pm. A car that had stopped at a red light outside the Red Fort metro station suddenly detonated. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed this sequence, adding that the resulting explosion and fire “damaged nearby vehicles,” leaving over a dozen cars, rickshaws, and motorcycles as blackened ruins.
The registered owner of the car involved in the blast has reportedly been detained for questioning, marking the first lead in the probe. In the meantime, the 19 injured individuals are being treated at a government hospital. Witnesses at the scene described the chaos, with one resident, Om Prakash Gupta, reporting that he saw “body parts all over” and “several vehicles on fire.”
The blast was described as “very strong” by another witness, who felt shock waves in nearby buildings and saw gruesome sights on the road. The chaotic aftermath, with people screaming in panic, was captured in footage on Indian TV news channels.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the victims’ families. As the investigation continues, a high alert has been declared across major transport hubs and in the city of Mumbai and the state of Uttar Pradesh, reflecting the serious nature of the incident.