Mumbai blasts jam cellular networks

MUMBAI: Over 137 people were killed and 250 injured in a series of seven blasts caused by bombs placed on Mumbai's Western suburban trains between 6 and 6:30 pm today. The explosions occurred during the crowded peak hour train commute which could mean that the death toll may rise. Police suspect a Muslim militant group to be behind the attack.

The blasts occurred near Matunga, Bandra, Khar, Mahim, Jogeshwari, Bhayandar and Borivali stations. All trains on both Western and Harbor lines were stopped immediately.

Most of the blasts were triggered in first class compartments.

Phone lines and mobile networks were jammed making it difficult for concerned citizens to know the whereabouts of their kith and kin. An overload on the networks may have caused the jamming. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals and bodies were cleared from the tracks. Rescue efforts were hampered in some areas due to heavy rains.

CyberMedia News (C)