Blast toll rises to 200, Mumbai back to normal

Updated at 8 pm

MUMBAI: The toll in the serial blasts that rocked the metropolis rose to 200 today as the city showed signs of limping back to normalcy.

Police said 200 persons were killed and 714 were injured in the blasts that took place in first class compartments of trains at Bhayandar, Jogeshwari, Mahim, Santa Cruz, Khar, Matunga and Borivali on the Western Railway on Tuesday.

Authorities have declared that all schools and colleges shall remain open today indicating that the situation in the city was well under control.

The municipal corporation of Greater Mumbai has waived off cremation charges to cremate bodies of the victims of the blasts.

Police said high grade explosive material was used in the blasts but the exact nature of the explosives was yet to be established.

Railway officials said that services on the Western Railway, that were suspended following the blasts, have been restored after the damaged overhead electrical lines and signalling system were repaired during the night.

The trains in this sections were, however, running 15 to 20 minutes behind schedule.