- This story is developing, more to follow
A car has exploded near the historic Red Fort in India’s capital today, killing at least eight people and injuring several others.
Several fire engines rushed to the scene after the blast was reported near one of the gates of the Red Fort metro station in New Delhi, the city’s fire services said. The cause of the explosion remained unclear.
Ambulances streamed into a nearby public hospital, carrying several injured people. Local media reported at least 11 people were injured in the explosion, though this number has not been confirmed.
Sanjay Tyagi, a spokesman for the city’s police force, said: ‘We are investigating the cause of the blast’.
A witness who lives near the site told the NDTV broadcaster that he heard a ‘window-shattering sound’ and then saw flames engulfing multiple vehicles.
Local media footage showed damaged vehicles and a police cordon at the site. The city’s deputy fire chief said at least six vehicles and three rickshaws caught fire during the explosion.
The building was cordoned off amid a heavy police deployment as officers moved through the corridors.
Outside, anxious relatives gathered after hearing that their loved ones had been brought in.
Musarrat Ansari said her brother was injured after a burning car hit the motorbike he was riding.
‘He called me and said his leg was hurt – he couldn’t walk,’ she said.
Formerly an imperial palace, the Red Fort is a major tourist attraction in New Delhi. Indian prime ministers address the nation from its ramparts on Independence Day, and it features on the largest banknote.
The wider Uttar Pradesh region has been put on high alert in the wake of the explosion.
Provincial official Amitabh Yash told local media that all senior officials in the region have been ordered to increase security at religious sites, sensitive districts, and border areas.
Meanwhile, cops in all districts of the region have been put on alert, and patrols and checks are to be increased.
More to follow.
