On Monday, November 10th, a car explosion occurred near a subway station close to the iconic Red Fort in Delhi, India, resulting in at least 8 deaths and 19 injuries.
The Red Fort is an important tourist attraction in Delhi, an ancient palace dating back to the 17th-century Mughal Empire in the old city area, visited by tourists throughout the year. After the explosion, videos from the scene showed damaged vehicles, and police had cordoned off the area.
Currently, there are varying reports on the number of casualties by different media outlets.
According to the Associated Press, the explosion led to at least 8 deaths and 19 injuries as confirmed by the police.
CNN reported that the explosion caused at least 10 deaths. Dr. Manish Kumar Jha from the local Lok Nayak Hospital mentioned that over 30 people were severely injured in the blast.
Meanwhile, the BBC reported that the incident resulted in 8 deaths and 20 injuries as per information from the police.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear, but the Central Industrial Security Force stated that airports, train stations, government buildings, and historical sites across India are on high alert.
Delhi Police Chief Satish Golcha told reporters that before the explosion, a slow-moving vehicle stopped near a red light around 6:42 p.m. local time.
“This vehicle exploded. People inside the car and in surrounding vehicles were affected,” Golcha said.
According to Reuters, at least six cars and three motorized rickshaws were set ablaze.
Sumit Kumar, an official from the Delhi Fire Department, informed CNN that emergency responders received the alarm at around 6:55 p.m. local time, arrived at the scene promptly, and extinguished the fire. Survivors were taken to nearby hospitals.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned that the explosion took place inside a modern i20 car. He stated that the National Security Guard, National Investigation Agency, and forensic experts are jointly conducting an investigation.
“We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, considering all angles. All possibilities will be investigated immediately, and we will disclose the findings to the public,” Shah added.
Shah stated that he would visit the blast site and soon visit the hospital to meet with the injured.
Indian Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims. He posted on social media, saying, “Wishing the injured a speedy recovery.”