In the wake of a devastating car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort, the United States and the United Kingdom have issued comprehensive travel advisories for their nationals. The blast, which occurred on a busy Monday evening, resulted in a tragic loss of life, with at least 11 people confirmed dead and over 25 others injured. The injured are receiving care at LNJP Hospital.
American citizens in India have been advised by the US Embassy in New Delhi to take heightened security precautions. This includes avoiding the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk areas, minimizing exposure to large crowds, and staying updated via local media channels. A general warning to remain vigilant and aware of one’s surroundings, particularly in popular tourist spots and public gathering places, has also been put in place.
The US State Department has expressed its deepest sympathies to the victims of the explosion and stated its commitment to closely observing the situation. The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs offered condolences and wished for the swift recovery of those injured. Reports indicate that India is implementing enhanced security measures in several states.
Conversely, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice, cautioning against all travel within a 10km radius of the India-Pakistan border, citing risks of armed conflict. The FCDO also advises against non-essential travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the state of Manipur, where ethnic clashes and curfews continue. The investigation into the Red Fort incident is ongoing, with police examining the possibility of a suicide bomber attack given the circumstances of the explosion within a moving vehicle.