AT least eight people have been killed after a massive explosion rocked a packed tourist hotspot in New Delhi.
Shocking footage showed multiple cars on fire with flames billowing into the sky in front of panicked crowds.
Police said eight people had been killed after the blast near the Red Fort in New Delhi.
At least 11 others have been injured amid the chaos according to local media, but the exact number is currently unclear.
The explosion occurred near Gate 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station – a busy hub next to one of India’s most visited landmarks.
Delhi police sources described it as a “very powerful explosion”, NDTV reports.
According to Delhi Fire Department officials, the explosion was reported around 6.55pm local time.
Footage showed flames engulfing multiple cars as crowds gathered at the scene.
At least six vehicles and three autorickshaws caught fire, Delhi’s deputy fire chief said.
One person was seen lying on the ground near a car with a shattered windshield – while others were treated for burns.
An eyewitness told local media: “I saw a huge fireball from the terrace of my house. There was a huge sound.
“The blast shook the windows of the building.”
A Delhi police spokesperson said the cause of the car explosion is being investigated.
Mumbai, Jaipur, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reportedly on high alert.
Police tried to clear crowds that gathered around the site of the incident.
The Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila, is an ancient Mughal fort located in the capital’s Old Dehli district.
It was once the residence of the Mughal emperors after being built in the 17th century – and is now visited by holidaymakers every year.
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