Powerful explosions in Delhi kill about 40 shoppers in crowded neighborhood

The explosions are said to be terrorist attacks

A state of emergency occurred in the Indian capital of Delhi today, when three powerful blasts ripped through crowded regions. The explosions killed at least 39, presumably those who were shopping on the eve of the country's biggest Hindu and Muslim festivals.

The blasts occurred minutes of each other, two of them in major shopping districts, packed with people out on a fine Saturday evening. At least 39 people were feared killed, New Delhi's Chief Fire Officer, R.C. Sharma, told Reuters. Scores were injured, reports said.

The first blast – in the busy Paharganj market area around which are many small hotels popular with foreign travellers, particularly backpackers – had killed 15 people and injured at least 40. Paharganj was crowded with shoppers ahead of a major Hindu festival next week. The second blast killed 20 people in Sarojini Nagar Market, in a crowded south New Delhi neighbourhood. Paharganj, where the first explosion took place, is a busy wholesale market, dotted with small, inexpensive hotels frequented by foreign travelers, particularly backpackers.

Another three people were killed in the third explosion, on a bus in South Delhi's Okhla area. Delhi Police have sealed the borders and beefed up the security in the capital.The police also recovered a bomb from a bank in the Chandni Chowk area, which was defused by the bomb squad immediately.

Delhi Metro Spokesman said the security at the metro had been tightened and the security staff had been alerted to keep an eye on suspicious movements by any person in the metro tunnel. However, the metro was running its services as usual, the spokesman said.

An eyewitness at Paharganj said the bomb had been planted at the busy intersection where many people pass by in the peak hours.

Source: agencies

Photos by AP