NEW DELHI: A blast occurred in an Hyundai i20 car parked near Lal Qila Metro Station near Gate No 1 (Red Fort Metro station) on Monday evening, prompting authorities to rush seven fire tenders to the spot. At least eight people died and 24 injured in the blast. Delhi Police detained the owner of the car, PTI reported citing officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah have taken stock of the situation.
PM Modi extended his condolences to all those who lost their lives in the incident. "Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities. Reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah Ji and other officials," he said.
High alert has been sounded in the city.
The area has been cordoned off. Reason of explosion is not yet known. "As of now, I can't tell you anything. Investigation is being done," ANI quoted a Delhi Police official saying.
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8 dead in car blast near Delhi's Red Fort; high alert sounded across city 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, ANI reported citing the fire department.
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Delhi Police detains vehicle's owner in Gurugram
Delhi Police detained Md Salman, the registered owner of the car from Gurugram, Haryana. He told police he had sold the car to a man in Delhi’s Okhla area, though it was still registered in his name with a Haryana number plate.
“Delhi Police along with Gurugram police detained Md Salman on Monday and is questioning him about the car. He had sold it to a person in Okhla named Devendra. Later, the vehicle was again sold to someone in Ambala and police are tracing the people,” PTI quoted a senior police officer saying.
Amit Shah briefs on the situation
Union home minister informed that the blast occurred in Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi.
"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," he said.
"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," he added.
PM Modi takes stock of the situation; NIA team reaches spot
Prime Minster Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation, according to sources. He has been briefed by Union home Minister Amit Shah.
Shah promptly contacted the Delhi Police Commissioner following the incident. He also visited the Lok Nayak Hospital to meet the injured.
Teams from the NSG, NIA, and forensic department were swiftly deployed to the scene. Shah is also in constant communication with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director to monitor developments related to the Delhi incident.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta ensured "every very possible assistance for the affected people".
"The incident of the car explosion near the Red Fort is extremely distressing and alarming. To those who have lost their loved ones in this tragic accident, I express my deepest condolences. I pray to God that the injured recover swiftly. Every possible assistance is being ensured for the affected people. Teams from the Delhi Police, NSG, NIA, and FSL are working together on a thorough investigation of the entire matter. I request all Delhi residents to avoid rumours and maintain peace. Please rely only on official information issued by the police and administration," she said in a post on X.
8 dead, 24 injured
At least eight people died and 24 people have been injured in the incident.
Providing details about the incident, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said, "Today at around 6.52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here."
"Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored. The home minister has also called us, and information is being shared with him from time to time," he added.
Alert sounded in Delhi, Bihar, Maharashtra, UP and other states
High alert has been sounded in the national capital, along with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Kerala, Chandigarh, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Chandni Chowk market will remain closed on Tuesday, PTI cited market association president Sanjay Bhargaw saying.
"All security agencies have also been alerted. Police in all districts of Uttar Pradesh have been put on alert. An order was issued from Lucknow to increase patrols and checks in sensitive areas," ANI quoted Uttar Pradesh ADG law and order Amitabh Yash saying.
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