Saturday, October 29, 2005
NEW DELHI BLASTS
Many dead in New Delhi following a series of explosions:
“There are conflicting reports about the number of dead, but according to the fire department, 30 to 31 people have died,” the official at the Delhi chief minister’s office told Reuters.
No mention yet of any suspected cause.
UPDATE. Associated Press now reports 49 dead, and speculates:
Fireworks are widely used to celebrate the upcoming Hindu festival, Diwali, and many markets are now crowded with stalls selling elaborate - and often very dangerous - fireworks.
India’s Prime Minister believes terrorists may be responsible. So does the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party:
Alleging intelligence failure behind the serial blasts in the capital, BJP today demanded that the government take all precautions to prevent their recurrence.
“Delhi has become the den of terrorists. Hundreds of terrorists, ISI agents and Pakistanis have been arrested and huge quantity of arms and explosives including RDX seized in the recent past. Necessary precautions should have been taken by the authorities”, BJP’s Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha V K Malhotra told reporters.
UPDATE II. Death toll 58; all markets closed in New Delhi.
UPDATE III. Scooter blamed.
UPDATE IV. 65 deaths now reported; ten suspects detained.
UPDATE V. A history of recent bomb attacks in India.