Mumbai, Jul 11: At least 138 people were killed and 257 injured in a string of seven terror blasts thar tore through first class compartmenets of suburban trains around 6PM during the peak hour traffic here today.

In a chilling reminder of the serial blasts that shook Mumbai in 1993 that had claimed over 250 lives, terrorists planted bombs in first class compartments of suburbain trains and on the platforms between 6 PM and 6.30 PM during the peak hour traffic of commuters returning home.

As the blasts ripped apart train compartments, mangled bodies of passengers fell on the tracks and survivors, many of them bleeding profusely, jostled to come out leading to chaotic scenes.

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.

The death count kept mounting rapidly and the hospitals received both the bodies and the scores of severely injured.

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.

At Matunga station, the blast was so powerful that it not only ripped through the first class coach but also blew off a portion of the platform shed.

Bodies were scattered on the tracks while many injured, were attended to by fellow travellers on the platform before being rushed to nearby hospitals.

Police suspect that it is a pre-planned subversive plot similar to the explosions that had rocked Mumbai in 1993 and 2002 and 2003.All suburban and long-distance trains on the Western railway lines were suspended and police cordoned off the major road intersections, railway stations and exit points.

A PTI staffer travelling by one of the affected suburban trains said the explosion took place in the first class compartment next to the one he was travelling in, ripping off the entire top of the compartment.

He saw a large number of injured being removed from the damaged compartment.

A PTI correspondent, who was waiting to catch a train at Santacruz railway station, saw an explosion in a train that was about to enter the station.

He reported that at least 25 people were injured in the blast that took place in the first class compartment.

Sudden heavy rains after an hour of the explosions made the job of rescuers difficult.

Confusion and fear prevailed among train commuters at all Western Railway stations as thousands could not make way to homes due to suspension of train services on the western line.

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