10 feared dead as blasts rock New Delhi

At least 10 people were feared killed in a powerful explosion that rocked central New Delhi today, television reports said.

Minutes later, two more explosions shook the city, officials said.

At least 40 people were taken to hospital after the first explosion, in the crowded Paharganj neighbourhood of the Indian capital, New Delhi Television said.

Vir Singh, a spokesman for the city’s fire department, confirmed that there also had been explosions near the main market in Sarojini Nagar, a crowded south New Delhi neighbourhood, and on a bus in the Govindpuri neighbourhood.

Witnesses confirmed hearing an explosion near the Sarojini Nagar market.

“The blast was so powerful, my house shook,” said Kiran Mohan, a photo editor who lives about 200 yards away from Sarojini market.

The initial blast took place in the main Paharganj market in the evening, when it was filled with shoppers ahead of a major Hindu festival next week, the fire brigade said.

Paharganj is a busy wholesale market, dotted with small, inexpensive hotels frequented by foreign travellers, particularly backpackers.

All roads to the scene of the explosion were sealed off by authorities.

It remained unclear what caused the explosions.

While the Indian government faces opposition from dozens of militant organisations – from tiny fringe organisations to well-armed Kashmiri rebel groups – there was no immediate official word that the explosions had been caused by bombs.

In addition, fireworks are widely used to celebrate the forthcoming Hindu festival, Diwali, and many markets are now crowded with stalls selling elaborate - and often very dangerous – fireworks.