13 killed in blast near Red Fort in India's New Delhi

A deadly explosion tore through a car near New Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening, killing 13 people and injuring 24 others, Indian media reported.

The blast occurred at 6:52pm near the Red Fort Metro Station, leaving the area strewn with bodies and vehicles reduced to twisted metal.

According to police officials, the explosion took place in a slow-moving car that had stopped at a traffic signal, and there were passengers inside the vehicle at the time. The force of the blast damaged 22 surrounding cars and created chaos in one of the busiest stretches near the monument.

The National Investigation Agency and the National Security Guard quickly joined the probe to determine the cause and nature of the blast. Several Indian states, including Mumbai, Jaipur, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar—where the second phase of polling is scheduled for Tuesday—were immediately placed on high alert.

Graphic footage broadcast by local media showed charred bodies, severed limbs, and severely damaged vehicles scattered across the road. Fire department teams dispatched seven units to the scene, bringing the blaze under control shortly after 7:29pm.

Security forces swarmed the area within minutes, creating a heavy presence around the site, which is usually crowded with tourists.