VIDEO: 10 die in car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort; high alert in Mumbai, UP

Sending shockwaves through the capital, a powerful blast ripped through cars parked near Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening, leaving at least 10 people dead and a dozen others injured, prompting authorities to heighten security across the country, especially neighbouring UP, commercial capital Mumbai, and prominent places like the RSS headquarters in Nagpur.

The blast, which triggered a fire that damaged several vehicles parked nearby, took place near one of the gates of the Red Fort metro station, the fire services said. The cause is being investigated.

New Delhi's international airport, metro stations and government buildings were placed on a high security alert after the explosion, the government said.

The US State Department on Monday reacted to the explosion near Delhi's Red Fort, saying it is "closely monitoring the situation" and "stands ready to provide consular assistance".

A State Department spokesperson said: "We are aware of the explosion near Red Fort in Delhi. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide consular assistance."

Home Minister Amit Shah told local media that a Hyundai i20 car exploded near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort.

He said CCTV footage from cameras in the area will form part of the investigation.

"We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account," Shah said.

"All options will be investigated immediately, and we will present the results to the public."

In a sombre post on his X handle, Shah conveyed profound grief and assured the nation of unrelenting action against those responsible.

"Pained beyond words by the loss of lives in a blast in Delhi," HM Shah wrote.

"My deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Have visited the blast site and also met the injured in the hospital. My prayers for their quick recovery. Top agencies are investigating the incident with full intensity, and will go in-depth into the incident."

The investigation is being conducted by the National Investigation Agency, India's federal terror investigating agency, and other agencies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the tragic car explosion near Delhi's iconic Red Fort that claimed at least 10 lives and injured dozens of others this evening, tagging it a "heartbreaking incident" in a poignant post on X.

In his post, Modi wrote, "Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. 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."

President Droupadi Murmu expressed profound sorrow over the tragic car explosion near Delhi's historic Red Fort that left 10 people dead and several others injured this evening, issuing a poignant message of solidarity from Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In a post on her official X handle, the President conveyed deep empathy for the bereaved and wished speedy recovery for the wounded, underscoring the nation's collective grief in the face of senseless violence. "I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the blast that has taken place in Delhi," President Murmu wrote.

Reacting to the blast incident at Delhi's Red Fort in which at least ten people have lost their lives along with more than a dozen getting injured, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have expressed their deepest condolences to the bereaved families.

Taking it to X, LoP Rahul Gandhi said, "The news of the car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station is extremely heartbreaking and concerning. The report of the deaths of several innocent people in this tragic incident is profoundly sorrowful."

"In this hour of grief, I stand with the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones and express my deepest condolences to them. I hope for the swift recovery of all the injured," LoP Rahul Gandhi.

Similarly, Congress MP from Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi, also termed the incident "heartbreaking" and said, "May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of those injured."

West Bengal CM and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee also tweeted, "Deeply shocked to hear about the tragic blast in New Delhi. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones, and I pray for strength and a swift recovery for all those injured."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath joined a chorus of national leaders in expressing deep anguish over the devastating car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort that claimed 10 lives and injured dozens of others earlier this evening.

In a heartfelt post on his X handle, the CM extended condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured, invoking Lord Shri Ram for divine solace.

Agencies