Home minister Amit Shah today said eight people have lost their lives and several were injured in the blast near the Red Fort in New Delhi around 7 pm today.

Shah said a “thorough investigation” has been launched into the incident keeping “all angles” open. Shah later visited the site of the blast and also met the injured at the Lok Nayak hospital.

“A blast took place in a Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort in Delhi today at around 7 pm. Due to the blast, 3-4 vehicles were damaged, and people also got injured, and some died. As per hospital sources, eight people have died so far. Some of the injured are being treated,” Shah said.  

“We have launched a thorough investigation, keeping all angles open. As soon as the blast was reported, the Delhi Police Special Cell, Crime Branch, NIA team, SPG team, and FSL team arrived at the scene and are conducting all investigations expeditiously,” Shah said.  

“I hope our agencies will reach a conclusion on the cause of the blast within a short time, and the senior-most FSL team has also arrived. I received a call from the Prime Minister immediately after receiving the news of the blast,” he added.  

“After taking the preliminary information, I also briefed the Prime Minister. I am leaving from here to visit the site, and tomorrow morning, a meeting will be conducted with a team of senior officials at the Home Ministry,” Shah added.

Expressing condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the blast Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X, “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.”

According to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha at around 6:52 pm today, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the traffic signal outside the Lal Quila metro station. “An explosion took place in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged,” said Golcha.