At least eight people are dead and 19 have been hospitalized after a car detonated at a red light in Delhi. The powerful explosion occurred on Monday evening in a busy street just outside the Red Fort metro station. In a key development, the registered owner of the car involved in the blast has reportedly been detained for questioning.
The explosion immediately sparked a large fire, which consumed nearby vehicles. According to Delhi’s police commissioner, Satish Golcha, the vehicle had stopped for a traffic light when the explosion happened. The force of the detonation was strong enough to damage and blacken more than a dozen other vehicles, including cars, autorickshaws, and motorcycles.
Eyewitnesses described the sheer horror of the moment. One resident who lives near the scene, Om Prakash Gupta, said he heard the loud blast and rushed outside to see “several vehicles on fire” and “body parts all over.” He also reported the grim sight of a body on the windscreen of a car. Another witness felt the shock waves in nearby buildings.
The Indian government has mobilized in response. Home Minister Amit Shah traveled to the site, telling reporters that the cause of the blast is not yet known and that “all angles” will be investigated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commented, offering condolences and stating that he is monitoring the situation.
In the wake of the explosion, a high alert has been declared across multiple regions. This includes the financial hub of Mumbai, the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh, and all large train stations, indicating the seriousness withVwhich authorities are treating the incident.
8 Dead, 19 Hospitalized in Delhi Blast; Owner Detained
