At least eight people were killed after the car exploded

At least eight people have been killed and more injured after a car exploded near Delhi’s historic Red Square, authorities said.

Delhi City police spokesman Sanjay confirmed Tyagi’s death to the BBC, and said an additional 20 people suffered injuries.

The police are investigating the cause of the explosion and “exploring all possibilities”, Mr. Tyagi said.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha told reporters that the incident took place around 18:52 hours when he stopped at a red light before exploding, damaging nearby vehicles.

Mr. Tyagis told the BBC that the explosion occurred in a Hyundai I20 car that was moving and carrying three people at the time.

Mumbai, India’s Financial Capital, has been put on high alert, as has Uttar Pradesh State which borders Delhi.

The blast took place near a Metro station close to the red fort, one of Delhi’s highest profile landmarks.

The Mughal Fortress, which is visited by thousands of tourists every year, was built in the 17th century and is where the chiefs of India give their ministers their annual competition.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his thanks to those who lost loved ones in the blast.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said in a statement that the news was “deeply distressing”.

Federal Home Minister Amit Sah said teams from India’s National Security Guard, and National Investigation Agency were investigating the blast, along with forensic experts.

“We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, all possibilities will be explained immediately and the results will be presented to the public,” he added.

The minister, who visited the blast site and a nearby hospital, said a meeting involving senior officials would be held on Tuesday morning.

Security has been increased in “sensitive religious sites, vulnerable districts and border areas” in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, according to the Ettar explosion in Uttar Pradelh, according to the explosion Ostar Amitabh Yash in compliance with Delhi’s neighbor.

Uttar Pradesh is home to famous sites like the Taj Mahal and is a densely populated state.

Veeru Sindhi, a local businessman at the site when the explosion occurred, described scenes of destruction, with many bodies and vehicles engulfed in flames.

“I was completely shaken by what I saw,” he told the BBC. “We’re trying to rescue people trapped in cars.”

An eyewitness described the aftermath of the explosion as chaos and confusion.

He was only a few hundred meters away from the place when he heard a loud explosion.

“It was like everything stopped for a few seconds before everything started going in all directions,” he told the BBC.

He did not go near the site but could see parts of the car on fire and locals trying to help the injured.

There is a heavy security presence at the Blast Site from the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ASS), NSGR Reserve Police Force (CRANCF). Armed officers were seen moving towards the area as investigations continued.

Additional reporting by Charlotte Scarr and Silnimaz Pucha.