Explosion Near Red Fort in New Delhi Kills Eight, Injures 19

At least eight people were killed and 19 injured in an explosion near New Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday. The blast, which damaged nearby vehicles and triggered a fire, occurred in a vehicle stopped at a red light. The cause remains unclear, and India’s National Investigation Agency is investigating. Security was heightened in Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh following the incident.

At least eight people were killed and several others injured on Monday in a powerful explosion near the historic Red Fort in New Delhi, India’s capital. The blast took place in a slow-moving vehicle that had stopped at a red light, and the explosion caused damage to nearby vehicles while triggering a fire, according to New Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha. The city’s fire service reported that a total of 19 people sustained injuries from the incident, which also led to significant property damage in the immediate area.

The explosion occurred just before 7 p.m. local time, close to a metro station near the Red Fort, one of India’s most iconic landmarks. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined, and authorities are keeping multiple possibilities open as they continue their investigation. Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that the government is examining all potential scenarios and promised that the results of the investigation would be made public once completed.

The National Investigation Agency, India’s federal agency responsible for counterterrorism and terror-related investigations, has taken charge of the inquiry. In response to the explosion, security measures were immediately heightened in Mumbai, India’s financial hub, as well as in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s most populous state that borders the national capital. Authorities are working to prevent any further incidents and ensure public safety.

The Red Fort, where the explosion occurred nearby, holds deep historical and cultural significance. Constructed in 1648 during the Mughal era in Delhi’s old city quarter, it is the site from which India’s prime minister delivers the annual Independence Day address. The fort also appears on the country’s largest-denomination banknote, underscoring its symbolic importance. The blast near such a high-profile location has raised concerns over security and the potential implications of the incident, prompting both local and national authorities to act swiftly in managing the situation and protecting residents.