Copyright timesnownews
The United States and the United Kingdom have issued advisories following a car explosion outside the Red Fort in Delhi on Monday evening that killed at least eight people and injured more than 20 others. The powerful blast occurred just before 7 pm near the Red Fort metro station, when a slow-moving car stopped at a red light, police said. The explosion set off a fire that engulfed several nearby vehicles and left the area covered with debris. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with ten fire tenders deployed to douse the flames. According to Delhi Fire Services, the blaze was brought under control by 7:29 pm. "A high alert has been sounded across Delhi and other states," a police official said, adding that security had been tightened at all city border points and vehicle checks intensified. Also Read: From Car Explosion To Nationwide Raids - Minute-by-Minute Account of Investigation Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion that shattered nearby car windows and was audible several kilometres away, including at ITO in central Delhi. A fire department official said six cars, two e-rickshaws and one autorickshaw were completely gutted. The injured were taken to the LNJP Hospital, located a few kilometres from the site. The United States said it was "closely monitoring" the situation. A spokesperson for the State Department told news agency PTI: "We are aware of the explosion near Red Fort in Delhi. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide consular assistance." The United Kingdom issued a travel advisory shortly after the incident, warning its citizens to avoid travel to certain parts of India in the wake of the explosion. There was no official confirmation on what caused the blast as Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the investigating agencies were probing "all angles" and not ruling out any possibility. Speaking to reporters after visiting the blast site, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said that a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the traffic signal near Gate No.1 of Red Fort Metro Station, following which an explosion took place at 6.52 pm. Two to three people were in the car, he said. "The explosion affected surrounding vehicles. As soon as we were informed, we notified all agencies concerned – Delhi Police, FSL, NIA and NSG. Their teams have arrived and are monitoring the situation. They are investigating the cause behind the explosion," he said.
