Twin blasts in Hyderabad: 42 killed, 50 hurt

HYDERABAD/MUMBAI: Terror rocked Cybercity Hyderabad on Saturday evening, killing 42 and injuring more than 50 people. The two bomb explosions, which happened within minutes of each other, brought the city to a standstill.

At least 42 people were killed and more than 50 injured in a string of blasts in Hyderabad, officials said on Sunday.   

"The death toll now is 42. More than 50 people are being treated in various hospitals," said K. Jana Reddy, home minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Saturday’s first explosion, at 7.45 pm, shook Lumbini Amusement Park, killing six spectators; the second explosion ripped apart Koti Market, where more than 24 people died, the police said.  The explosives were planted in bags and triggered by timers.

While most of the victims were from Hyderabad, initial reports said tourists from Pune and Nashik had died in the explosions. But this is yet to be confirmed.

A laser show was on at Lumbini Amusement Park, in central Hyderabad, when the bomb went off. “We heard a loud blast and saw a huge fire. Suddenly, we saw people running around splattered with blood. There was panic, causing a stampede. The explosions tore apart rows 12 and 13 where some students from Pune were sitting,” said a security guard.

Minutes later, around 8 pm, a bomb went off at Gokul Chat, in Koti. “The bomb was planted under an ice-cream machine,” said a police officer. Eye-witnesses said the explosion set off tremors across the blast-site.

But bomb detection squads were quick to defuse at least two time-bombs. One bomb was set to go off at 10.30 pm at Venkatadri Cinema Hall; another was planted in Dilkush Nagar. Luckily, the first device was
defused half an hour before the show ended.

Describing the scene of the devastating blasts, blogger Nyayapati Gautam posted his concern on Saturday night: “I noticed that ambulances were finding it difficult to get through because of the dense traffic and also because the… Hyderabadi refuses to give way even to an ambulance.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts and expressed his deepest concern. Chief Minister YS Rajashekhar Reddy said it was too early to identify the perpetrators. 

“These blasts are a handiwork of vindictive terrorists who want to spread terror in the minds of our people. Our police are investigating the case and we’ll extend full support. Every possible effort is being done to maintain calm.” A red alert has been declared throughout the city.

Police suspect the Bangladesh-based Harkat-ul-Jehadi’s hand in Saturday’s terror, according to sources familiar with the situation. They have found timers and gelatine sticks at the blast spots, the sources said. “We suspect RDX was also used, but it’s too early to confirm that,” said a police official.

Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said the explosions were the handiwork of terrorist groups. “One terrorist group or the other, which is bent on destroying the unity of the country, is certainly involved in the blasts in Hyderabad”, Jaiswal said.

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