Eight people have died after a car explosion near a major tourist attraction in India’s capital New Delhi, with horror reports of body parts strewn across the site.

The blast rocked the historic Red Fort — a former imperial palace that dates to the 17th century and where Indian prime ministers deliver their independence day speeches each year.

The explosion was reported near one of the gates of the Red Fort metro station on Monday (local time), with 19 people also injured.

Home Minister Amit Shah told local media that a Hyundai i20 had exploded near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort.

The car’s owner has been arrested, broadcaster NDTV reported on Monday.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said a vehicle that was moving slowly stopped at a red light and then exploded.

The BBC quoted a police source saying there were three people in the Hyundai.

Om Prakash Gupta, an eyewitness who lives close to the scene, said he was at home when he heard a loud explosion.

“I rushed out with my children and saw several vehicles on fire, body parts all over,” he told The Associated Press.

He said he saw one body on the windscreen of a car.

Sanjay Tyagi, a spokesman for the city’s police force, told AP that at least eight people were killed, and several others were injured.

“We are investigating the cause of the blast,” he said.

New Delhi’s historic Red Fort, which attracts many tourists. Photo: Wikipedia

The Home Minister said CCTV footage from the area would form part of the investigation.

“We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account,” Shah said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said authorities were reviewing the situation.

“Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest,” he wrote on X.

The investigation is being conducted by the National Investigation Agency, India’s federal terror investigating agency, and other agencies.

-with AAP/Reuters