'Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones': PM Modi on Delhi blast, briefed by Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the incident, after a car blast near Red Fort rocked the national capital on Monday evening. He was briefed by home minster Amit Shah on the situation and also expressed his condolences.

"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.

Also read: 8 killed in explosion; top cop says slow-moving car burst into flames at traffic signal

President Droupadi Murmu also expressed condolences. "I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the blast that has taken place in Delhi. I pray for quick recovery of those injured," she said.

Amit Shah also gave a statement on the situation saying, "they're considering all possibilities". "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.

Read more: Amit Shah on Delhi blast that killed 8; investigation on

Shah has also spoken to the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau to take stock of the situation following the blast near Red Fort, ANI sources said. He has also directed the chiefs of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), and the Directorate of Forensic Sciences to rush teams to the site to assist in the probe and collect evidence, they added.

Also read:24 injured, toll may rise - what we know so far

He has also directed the chiefs of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), and the Directorate of Forensic Sciences to rush teams to the site to assist in the probe and collect evidence, they added.

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Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha also informed that the home minister is constant touch. "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 said.

At least eight people were killed and 24 injured in the blast. The cause is yet to be known, as investigation is under way. Meanwhile, Delhi Police have detained the owner of the i20 car involved in the explosion near Red Fort, officials said.

Also read: Delhi Red Fort car blast; how a sudden explosion turned Delhi evening into chaos and fear - in pics
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