MUMBAI: Mumbai relived a nightmare when seven explosions shook the city within minutes on Tuesday evening. Reports said more than 100 people had died and many were injured.
The target was Mumbai's life-line -- its local train services -- timed to catch the evening rush.
The first blast occurred in a first-class compartment of a local train near Khar station at 6.24 p.m and six more had occurred within the next 11 minutes all on trains or at or near railway stations.
The other blasts occurred at Mira Road, Matunga, Santa Cruz, Jogeshwari, Borivili and Bhayendar railway stations.
All explosions were reported to have taken place in first class compartments of trains at a time when a large chunk of the commercial capital is returning home from office.
Police said more than 100 people had died. Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh reassured the citizens of Mumbai that things were under control. He saked the people to keep calm and not panic in reaction to rumours.
Mumbai was stunned before the panic set in. There was chaos and crush as people rushed to safety. Many were seen lying on the rail tracks.
Eyewitnesses said rain was hampering rescue work as the injured were carried to hospital. The injured at Santa Cruz station were taken to the nearby V N Desai hospital and another 20 were admitted to the KEM Hospital in Parel.
As people tried to reach their own, local phone lines were jammed and communication within the city and from outside became impossible. All trains on the Western line route have been suspended.
Police cordoned off all railway stations on the line and strict checking was carried out at the Central and Harbour sections of local trains services.
The blasts brought live fading memories of the BEST blasts of 2003. Reports said the city once again sprang to the rescue of its people, while official help was tardy.
Meanwhile, Delhi was put on high alert after the serial blasts in Srinagar and Mumbai through the day.
The Centre went into a huddle, with the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil rushing to meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
Later, Patil read out a statement from Dr Singh in which he said the fight against terrort would continue.
Newsource: timesofindia.com
