Cit Journo: 'Blood was everywhere'

It was maximum damage in terms of lives and property - Citizen Journalist Manish Gaikwad rushed to help people as soon as he heard about the blasts.

It was 6:45 in the evening and people coming back from work to their homes had a pensive look on their faces.

I was wondering what had happened but I couldn't guess what till one of my friends told me - "Mumbai has been rocked by a series of blasts."

It seemed to be a well-planned and well-coordinated attack - all blasts in the first class compartment and during peak hour.

The intention was clear - it was maximum damage in terms of lives and property.

Even Borivali, where I stay was not spared. The Bhayander-bound local arriving at Borivali station at 6:24 pm witnessed a huge blast in the first class compartment adjoining the ladies compartment.

There were also some unconfirmed reports of a second blast on Platform No.2 at Borivali station.

I jumped onto my bike and rode to the station and what I saw left me in total disbelief.

An endless queue of ambulances, fire brigades and police vans. People screaming for help. Rescue operations in full swing.

The local police, the railway police and the local people got their act together to try and save as many lives as they could. The entire area surrounding the station was cordoned off.

It was evident Mumbai had been jolted hard and that the blast had caught Mumbai completely unaware.

I must mention that it's such trying times that bind people together in spite of any differences that they might have.

A stranger no longer seemed to be one. A hand seeking for help had thousands to reach out for. It was an emotional outpour. Many couldn't hold back their tears after seeing the gory images.

People's worst nightmares were coming true. Dismantled bodies were pulled out of the compartment. One could see blood everywhere.

Rescuers trying their best to pull out the injured and get them first aid. Within no time, alert citizens of Mumbai had reacted to such a huge calamity.

The entire first class compartment had been ripped apart. One could just imagine the power of the explosives by the kind of impact they had. There were strangled coaches, broken racks and strewn belongings. There was also a pungent smell surrounding the area.

But there were even more horrifying scenes in the neighboring Bhagwati and Karuna hospitals.

Anguish and apprehension filled the air. It was a complete chaos. Friends and relatives of the injured and deceased pouring in to get some information of their dear ones.

After every minute or two, one could hear the deafening sound of ambulances coming into the hospital. The only hope one had was that perhaps the ambulance carried an injured and not a dead. Many-a-time this belief was shattered.

People came out in huge numbers to support a common cause. A cause to stand united and fight united.

Mumbai lived on and will continue to do so. Nothing almost nothing can deter the true spirit of Mumbai. In such trying times one could see the real heroes of Mumbai standing tall to any and every problem that it faced.

Life moves on and there people were to catch the 8:24 fast local to Churchgate the very next day.

Truly it's Salaam Mumbai!