A car explosion directly outside the Red Fort metro station in Delhi has left eight people dead and 19 injured. The blast occurred on Monday night at a crowded intersection as the vehicle was stopped at a red light, according to Delhi Police.
The incident took place just before 7 pm. Witnesses described the detonation as “very strong,” setting off a massive fire that destroyed more than a dozen other vehicles, including cars, rickshaws, and motorcycles. The force of the blast was so great that shock waves were felt in nearby buildings.
Harrowing accounts from the scene have emerged, painting a grim picture of the aftermath. One witness reported seeing a “hand on the road” and a body “torn into pieces.” Another, Om Prakash Gupta, described seeing “body parts all over” as people screamed in panic.
Dozens of fire engines and ambulances were dispatched to the scene to control the blaze and transport the 19 injured to a government hospital. The federal Home Ministry has taken charge of the investigation.
Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the site, said the cause of the blast is not yet known and will require a forensic analysis of samples. He assured a “thorough probe” covering “all angles.” The registered owner of the car has reportedly been detained. Prime Minister Modi has offered condolences, and a high alert has been activated in Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh.