Nine dead in New Delhi court blast
Nine people were killed and 45 others injured when a bomb exploded outside the High Court in New Delhi today.
The blast erupted near a gate leading to the court, an Indian security official said.
Home Secretary R K Singh told CNN-IBN television that the blast killed nine people and wounded 45 others.
"It appears that the bomb was in a suitcase because we have the remains of that suitcase," the Home Secretary said.
The bomb exploded near a large crowd of people waiting in line at a reception counter where passes are made for entry to the building.
The explosion shook the court house, said Sanjiv Narula, a lawyer who was in the building.
"There was smoke everywhere. People were running. People were shouting. There was blood everywhere. It was very, very scary," said Sangeeta Sondhi, another lawyer, who was parking her car near the gate when the bomb exploded.
People ran to the blast site to help the injured.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
The High Court is an appeals court below India's Supreme Court.
Ambulances and forensic teams rushed to the scene, along with sniffer dogs and a bomb disposal unit, apparently checking for any further explosives.
The blast was the second explosion at the High Court this year. On May 25, a small explosion that appeared to be a failed car bomb erupted in the court car park.
