New Delhi: A powerful blast near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station in the national capital today evening gutted a car and set several nearby vehicles on fire, leaving at least eight people dead and several others injured.

Officials from the Delhi Fire Department told ANI, a call reporting the explosion was received shortly after the incident. Fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot to douse the flames. A total of seven fire engines were deployed at the site till the filing of this report.

Following the blast, the fire spread to three to four other vehicles parked nearby, causing extensive damage.

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A team from the Delhi Police Special Cell is present at the location, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the explosion.

Authorities at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital told ANI that 15 people were brought in following the explosion. Of them, eight were declared dead on arrival, three are critically injured, and one is in stable condition.

Locals in the area said they heard a loud explosion unlike anything before, after which they rushed to the spot and found several vehicles engulfed in flames.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said, “Around 6:52 p.m. today, a slow-moving vehicle halted at a red light when an explosion occurred inside it, damaging several nearby vehicles. Teams from all agencies, including the FSL and NIA, are present at the scene. Some people have lost their lives, while others have sustained injuries. The situation is being closely monitored, and the Home Minister has been briefed and is being updated regularly.”

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh has been placed on high alert following the blast near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi.

Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash told ANI that the DGP has directed all senior officials to tighten security across sensitive districts, religious sites, and border areas. He added all security agencies have been alerted, and police in every district have been instructed to remain vigilant.

An order from Lucknow has also mandated intensified patrolling and enhanced checks in vulnerable zones across the state.