At least eight people have been killed and more injured after a car exploded near the Red Fort in Delhi, authorities have said.
Delhi City police spokesperson, Sanjay Tyagi confirmed the deaths to the BBC, while the deputy fire chief stated that a further 19 individuals had been injured, according to AFP.
Police are investigating the cause of the explosion and exploring all possibilities, Mr. Tyagi said.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha informed reporters that the incident occurred around 18:52 local time (13:52 GMT), when a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light before it exploded, causing damage to nearby vehicles.
Following the blast, Mumbai, India's financial hub, has been put on high alert, along with the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh.
The explosion took place close to a metro station near the Red Fort, a prominent historical monument in Delhi.
This Mughal fortress attracts thousands of visitors each year and serves as the site for Indian prime ministers' annual Independence Day speeches.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared his condolences with the victims' families. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi remarked that the news was extremely heartbreaking.
Federal Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the blast originated from a Hyundai i20 car and stated that teams from India's National Security Guard and the National Investigation Agency are on the case, alongside forensic experts.
We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking every angle into account and reporting back to the public, he added. The minister has also visited the site of the explosion and a nearby hospital.
Security measures are being tightened at sensitive religious sites, vulnerable districts, and border areas in response to the blast in Delhi, according to senior police official Amitabh Yash.
A witness described the horrifying aftermath of the blast, stating, It felt like everything stopped for a few seconds before everyone started running in all directions. He recounted seeing burning car parts and locals rushing to assist the injured.
