Blasts inside express train at Chennai’s Platform no. 9; One dead

One died and 14 were injured in two bomb blasts which shook Chennai as they went-off on Banglore-Guwahati express as soon as it arrived on Platform no. 9 of Chennai. These two bombs exploded inside the express in the morning hours when usually there is a lot of rush on the platform. According to the details emerging, the train arrived on Platform number 9 of Chennai Railway Station at 7:05 am and minutes after, these two bombs went off at 7:15am inside the S4 and S5 coach.

Although we have learned that the bombs were of low intensity yet the nature of the blasts are still unclear. The whole station since then has been vacated and trains have been stopped. The Police immediately arrived at the spot are carrying on their investigation. The whole station has been evacuated.

There are contradictory numbers of the causalities and the injured. “One woman Swati has lost her life in the blasts. Two people have suffered from grievous injuries and 7 people have escaped with minor injuries. Police have been deployed to investigate into the matter,” said a Railway Official who addressed the media shortly after the blasts. The railway officials have requested people to remain calm.

The official has also confirmed that the Honourable Railway Minister has announced Rs. 1,00,000 to the family of the dead, Rs. 25,000 to the greviously injured and Rs. 5,000 to those who escaped with minor injuries. The Railway has also announced a helpline number – 044- 25357398. The injured have been rushed to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital.

Currently an NSG team has been rushed to the spot and MHA has sought a report in the case. Channel Headlines Today has reported that the bombs were planted under the seat number 70 of the S4 coach of the Banglore-Guwahati express.

The Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said, “We are still trying to assess the information. I’ve told my officers to find out more information.”

Railway Board Chairman, Arunendra Kumar said, “The injured have been taken to the hospital. We are trying to communicate at the local level too.”

A suspect who was hiding inside the compartment has been taken into custody for interrogation.

Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has condemned the attack and ordered an SIT and CB-CID investigation into this unfortunate incident.

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About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash