Mumbai serial blasts: Rumour-mongers run amok in social networks

Social networks have been buzzing with help, updates and information about the Mumbai blasts. While people were indeed sharing contact numbers and information, it was difficult to filter out rumours from facts thanks to the phenomenal speed at which information was shared.

Last night and this morning, tweets about unexploded bombs as well as bomb blasts in various suburban stations started doing rounds.

"Some stupid douchebags are spreading rumours about findings on BBM/text," tweeted @Anaggh after a few people started tweeting about unexploded bombs in as many as eight different locations in Mumbai. 

While the home minister requested the media to only share information after verification from the Mumbai Police and Mantralaya, the police have urged people to discard rumours about the bombs being found in different parts of the metropolis.

"There are some rumours going around that bombs were found in different parts of Mumbai. This is not true," DCP and Police Spokesperson Nisar Tamboli said. "Rumours are floating that bombs were found at Worli, Cuffe Parade, Prabhadevi, Bandra (East), Marine Drive and NCPA but police have still not recovered anything suspicious. Rumours are being deliberately spread (to create panic). People should not believe them," he said.

Immediately after the tragedy, quite a few individuals on Twitter urged people to be careful about the information they shared as the chances of rumours going viral are high.