At least 8 killed after explosion outside Red Fort metro station
At least eight people have been killed and several others injured after an explosion was reported near the Red Fort in the national capital city on Monday evening. Reports suggest that the incident occurred in a car outside the Lal Qila metro station.
Twenty-four people were injured in the blast and were taken to the LNJP hospital. A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reached the spot.
A high alert has been sounded in Delhi.
"A call was received regarding an explosion in a car near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, after which three to four vehicles also caught fire and sustained damage. A total of 7 fire tenders have reached the spot. A team from the Delhi Police Special Cell has also reached the spot. Further details awaited," Delhi Fire Department said in a statement soon after the incident.
Saying that a thorough investigation will take place into the Red Fort blasts and “no possibility was being ruled out” at this point, Home Minister Amit Shah said he will head to the blast spot and the hospitals where the injured were taken.
Shah said: “This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. Preliminary reports indicate that some people have lost their lives. Within 10 minutes of receiving the information of the blast, teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch arrived at the spot. The NSG and NIA teams, along with the FSL, have now begun a thorough investigation. Orders have been given to examine all nearby CCTV cameras. I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge. The Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge are present at the spot. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options will be investigated immediately and we will present the results to the public. I will be heading to the spot shortly and will also visit the hospital immediately."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered condolences to the deceased in the Delhi blast case. Modi said he has reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah and other officials.
Congress President Mallikarjun Khargeexpressed grief over the loss of lives in the explosion near Red Fort in Delhi. “Extremely distressing to hear about the news of a car explosion near Red Fort Metro Station, Delhi. Initial reports suggest that several precious lives have been lost in this incident,” Kharge wrote on X.
