An explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort killed at least nine people and injured 19 others on Monday, triggering a major security and forensic investigation across the Indian capital.
Police have yet to determine the cause of the blast, which erupted when a car caught fire in traffic, sending intense flames through nearby vehicles in the crowded Old Delhi district. White sheets covered the charred remains of vehicles overnight as forensic experts and anti-terror agencies combed the scene for evidence.
Home Minister Amit Shah said security forces were “keeping all angles open,” noting that it would be “very difficult to say what caused the incident” until forensic analysis is complete. Security was heightened across New Delhi in response.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the families of the victims and said he had reviewed the situation with Shah. “May the injured recover at the earliest,” he said.
The explosion occurred near the 17th-century Red Fort, a major national symbol from which Indian prime ministers deliver Independence Day addresses.
Hospital authorities said the death toll could rise as several victims remain in critical condition. Witnesses described a sudden blast that engulfed people and vehicles in flames.
“I saw the car explode while it was moving… people were burning,” said eyewitness Dharmindra Dhaga, who tried to assist victims while bystanders filmed the scene on their phones.
At LNJP Hospital, doctors rushed to treat the wounded as distraught families gathered outside the emergency ward. One woman broke down as her husband underwent treatment.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called the deaths “heartbreaking,” while the US State Department said its “hearts are with those affected” and that it was monitoring developments closely.
Investigations are ongoing.
