A car has exploded near the historic Red Fort in India's capital, killing at least eight people, injuring several others and triggering a fire that damaged several vehicles parked nearby.

Several fire trucks rushed to the scene after the blast was reported near one of the gates of the Red Fort metro station, the city's fire services said on Monday.

The cause of the explosion remained unclear.

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

"We are investigating the cause of the blast," he said.

Formerly an imperial palace, the Red Fort is a major tourist attraction in New Delhi.

Local media footage showed damaged vehicles and a police cordon at the site.

A witness who lives near

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