AT LEAST 17 people were killed and several injured in a series of bomb blasts that took place in Mumbai on Wednesday evening around 6.30 p.m. These blasts occurred in the busy and crowded Dadar, Zaveri Bazar and Opera House areas of the city that are known to be traditionally busy and full of shoppers.

Senior government officials said that while 10 people had died in the blasts, at least 50 were injured seriously in what they described as one of the most deadly bombing after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Locals said that at least 4 people were killed and 20 seriously injured in the blast at Zaveri Bazar.

In Dadar West, the blast took place in a car near a bus stop, said police. While in Zaveri Bazar the explosives were likely placed in a meter box behind a hoarding. The blast in Opera House is reported to have taken place at Prasad Chamber.

Sources said hat an unexploded bomb has also been found in Dadar and a team of officials is working to defuse it. Meanwhile, high alert has been sounded in Mumbai and police has launched a probe into these blasts.