Eight People Died In Car Explosion Near India's Historic New Delhi Site

JAKARTA - At least eight people were killed and 20 injured on Monday, when a car exploded near the historic site Red Fort in India's capital, New Delhi, police said.

The bodies that were destroyed and the rubble of several cars were seen on a crowded road near a metro station in the old Delhi area, as police arrived at the area to secure the location and contain crowds congregating.

"A slowly moving vehicle stopped at a red light. The explosion occurred in the vehicle, and as a result of the explosion, the surrounding vehicles were also damaged," Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha told reporters.

He said the explosion occurred at around 7 pm local time.

At least six vehicles and three motorized tricycles were on fire, the deputy head of the Delhi Fire Department said.

The people around the scene described hearing a loud explosion.

"I was at the metro station, down the stairs, when I heard the explosion. I turned around and saw the fire. People started running over and over," said a woman, Sumanbul.

Wali Ur Rehman said he was sitting in his shop. "I fell as a result of the explosion, it was so powerful," he told ANI.

About 30 to 40 ambulances were near the site of the explosion, and the entire area was blocked after the fire was extinguished, a Reuters reporter said.

"All aspects" are being investigated and the security agency will soon reach a conclusion," Federal Interior Minister Amit Shah said.

The previous owner of the car, known only as Salman, was arrested after the explosion, according to an NDTV report, without providing further details. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those who have lost loved ones.

"Hopefully the injured will recover soon. Those affected are being assisted by the authorities," he wrote on X.

As a result of the incident, major train stations across India, the financial capital Mumbai and the state of Uttar Pradesh bordering Delhi, are all placed on high alert status, authorities said.

Red Fort, known locally as Lal Qila, is the magnificent 17th-century building of the Mughal era that combines Persian and Indian architectural styles, and is visited by tourists throughout the year.