At least eight people have been killed and multiple others injured after a car exploded near the Red Fort in Delhi, according to authorities.

Delhi City police spokesperson, Sanjay Tyagi, confirmed the fatalities to the media, while a deputy fire chief indicated that 19 additional people have been injured.

Investigators are exploring the cause of the explosion. Police Commissioner Satish Golcha noted that the explosion occurred at approximately 6:52 PM local time, when a slow-moving vehicle halted at a red light before detonating, resulting in damage to surrounding vehicles.

In response to the incident, security alert levels have been raised in Delhi, as well as in neighboring states like Uttar Pradesh. The blast took place close to a metro station adjacent to the popular monument.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims' families, while opposition leader Rahul Gandhi described the news as extremely heartbreaking. Federal home minister Amit Shah clarified that the explosion originated from a Hyundai i20 car, and investigations are underway involving India's National Security Guard and forensic experts.

Security measures have been intensified at sensitive religious sites, vulnerable districts, and border areas following the blast. Eyewitness accounts convey the chaos and confusion that ensued after the explosion, with one individual noting that it felt as though time had momentarily stopped.