Here is what we know about the deadly car explosion that rocked Delhi on Monday night. Eight people were killed and 19 were injured when a car detonated at a crowded intersection near the Red Fort just before 7 pm. The vehicle was stopped at a red light outside the metro station when it exploded.
The blast was described by witnesses as “very strong” and sparked a massive fire. Over a dozen vehicles, including cars, rickshaws, and motorcycles, were destroyed in the inferno. Graphic witness accounts have emerged, including reports of a “hand on the road” and “body parts all over” the area.
Dozens of fire engines and ambulances responded to the scene, and the 19 injured were taken to a government hospital. News footage showed the chaotic aftermath, with people screaming in panic and one car’s doors completely blown off by the force of the blast.
The investigation is being led by the federal Home Ministry. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site and stated the cause is not yet known, pending a forensic analysis. He assured a “thorough probe” covering “all angles.” The registered owner of the car has reportedly been detained for questioning.
In response to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered condolences to the victims’ families. A high alert has been activated in Mumbai, the state of Uttar Pradesh, and at major train stations across India as a precautionary measure.