Videos aired on Indian television and shared online showed flames rising from the blast site, with several vehicles badly damaged. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as people ran for safety near the historic monument.

Local reports said the explosion occurred close to a metro station and appeared to have originated from inside a vehicle. Thick smoke could be seen billowing into the air as police cordoned off the area.

Emergency responders, including police, firefighters, and medical teams, quickly reached the scene. Authorities said an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the explosion, though no official statement on casualties or motive has been released yet.

Read more: Multiple explosions shake Indonesian school mosque - who is 17-year-old suspect?

Security in the surrounding area has been tightened, with forensic experts collecting evidence and bomb disposal squads checking nearby vehicles as a precaution.

The blast near the Red Fort — one of India’s most visited historic landmarks — has heightened fears of renewed security threats in New Delhi. While officials are yet to confirm whether it was an accident or a planned attack, the incident underscores the city’s vulnerability and the urgent need for better urban safety measures.