Authorities have reportedly detained the registered owner of the vehicle that exploded in a deadly blast in Delhi, killing eight people and injuring 19. The man is being questioned as the federal Home Ministry begins its investigation into the Monday night incident near the Red Fort.
Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the blast site, confirmed a “thorough probe” is underway, looking at “all angles.” He stated that the cause of the detonation is not yet known and that investigators are awaiting the results of a forensic analysis of samples collected from the wreckage.
The explosion occurred just before 7 pm. According to Delhi Police, the car was stopped at a red light outside the Red Fort metro station when it suddenly detonated. The “very strong” blast ignited a massive fire that destroyed more than a dozen other vehicles, including cars, rickshaws, and motorcycles.
Graphic accounts from witnesses have highlighted the horror of the event. One person described seeing a “hand on the road” and a body “torn into pieces.” Another witness, Om Prakash Gupta, reported “body parts all over” the street.
Dozens of fire engines and ambulances rushed to the chaotic scene. The 19 injured victims were transported to a government hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered condolences, and a high alert has been declared in Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, and at major train stations.