There are reports of multiple casualties in the Indian capital of Delhi after an explosion near a metro station.
At least eight dead, according to reports
At least eight people have died in the blast, Reuters news agency quotes a police spokesperson as saying.
The explosion was in a car in the densely populated Red Fort area, it reports the spokesperson as saying.
According to Indian TV channels, a high alert has been declared in the capital as well as in Mumbai.
Cause of explosion still unknown – police
The exact details of the cause of the explosion are still being ascertained, the police spokesperson says, according to Reuters.
At least six vehicles and three auto-rickshaws were caught in the fire, Delhi’s deputy fire chief is quoted as saying.
TV channels are reporting at least 11 people have been injured.
Verified video shows fire at scene of blast
Two videos from the scene have now been confirmed as authentic by BBC Verify.
One shows a fire on the Netaji Subhash Marg road, filmed at the junction with Chandni Chowk Road.
Another shows the fire much closer up, briefly showing the underground entrance to Lal Quila (Red Fort) metro station, and shows the wreckage beside the police post across the road from it.
Police exploring ‘all possibilities’ for cause of explosion
I have just spoken to the city police spokesperson who Reuters quoted.
He is unable to confirm casualty figures as they are still trying to verify these with the hospitals in the area.
In terms of cause they are still “exploring all possibilities”.
One of the most recognisable monuments in India
The iconic Red Fort is a high-profile landmark in Delhi.
Thousands of tourists, both domestic and foreign, visit the 17th Century monument every day.
It’s less than five miles from Indian parliament and just a few meters away from the extremely busy trading hub of Chandani Chowk area.
It’s also the same monument from where Indian prime ministers give their Independence Day speeches every year on 15 August.
For these reasons, the Red Fort is one of the most recognisable monuments in India.
And that is why the news of a blast near the monument has shocked many.
Situation being monitored, says Delhi police commissioner
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha has told reporters that the incident happened at around 18:52 local time (13:52 GMT), when a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light before it exploded, damaging nearby vehicles.
“Some people have died, and some have been injured,” he says, without confirming numbers.
The situation is being monitored, he added, and the emergency services are in touch with the government.
SUMMARY
- Casualties have been reported after an explosion near the Red Fort landmark in Delhi
- Local media report that at least eight people have died after the car blast, which was close to a metro station in the Indian capital
- Thousands of tourists visit the 17th Century Red Fort monument every day, which lies just a few meters from a busy trading hub
- Police say they have not yet found what caused the blast
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
