Update: Tuesday, 9-20 pm IST (PTI)
- 105 dead, 230 wounded as series of blasts rock Mumbai
Mumbai: At least 105 people were killed and 230 injured in a string of seven terror blasts in first class compartmenets of suburban trains around 6 PM during the peak hour traffic here today.
As the blasts ripped apart train compartments, mangled bodies of passengers were hurled out and survivors, many of them bleeding profusely, jostled to come out leading to chaotic scenes.
Maharashtra Chief Secretary D K Shankaran put the figure of dead at 105 and the injured at around 230.
The blasts occured between 6Pm and 6.30PM at Mahim, Bandra, Matunga, Borivili, Mira Road, Jogeshwari and Khar when people from offices were returning home.
Hospital authorities in the city have confirmed arrival of over 100 bodies by 8:30 pm. A large of injured people, including commuters of the blasts-hit trains were admitted to various government and private hospitals in various parts of the city.
PM ppeals calm, vows to fight evil designs of terrorists
Mumbai: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight reviewed the security situation in the aftermath of blasts in Mumbai and Srinagar after which he expressed the government's resolve to "fight and defeat the evil designs of terrorists".
He appealed to the people to maintain calm in the face of terror attacks in Mumbai and Srinagar after an emergency meeting at his residence with Home Minister Shivraj Patil and others.
Sonia, Patil, Lalu to leave for Mumbai tonight
New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad will leave for Mumbai tonight for an on-the-spot review of the situation in the wake of the serial blasts.
The decision was announced by Patil after an hour-long emergency meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his Race Course Road residence here.
"The toll may be around 50, may be more, may be less," he told reporters when asked about the number of those killed in the seven blasts.
Security at all major airports tightened
New Delhi: Security at all airports across the country was beefed up tonight following the synchronised serial blasts in running trains in Mumbai.
Quick reaction teams of paramilitary forces have been deployed at major airports, especially in Mumbai, Delhi and other metros, official sources said here.
The number of CISF personnel on duty at major airports have also been increased, they said.
The sources said the personnel on duty have been asked to take all precautions and conduct all necessary security checks at the airports.
However, they said flight operations would not be affected by the heightened security measures.