Mumbai Blast: Two more die, death toll now 23

www.mangaloretoday.com

Mumbai, July 24, 2011: Even as officers continue to investigate the July 13 terror attacks in Dadar, Zaveri Bazar and Opera House, two victims succumbed to their injuries on Saturday, taking the death toll to 23.

Ajay Sohram Verma (40) and Sunder Singh Bisht (30) died at the JJ Hospital after sustaining severe burn injuries in the Zaveri Bazar blast.

Bisht, who ran errands for a private firm in Zaveri Bazar and lived in Marol, Andheri (East), died at 10.20 am. Verma, who earned a living by making papad in Khau Galli, died at 5.45 pm.

"Both the patients had severe burns and were operated on by our doctors. However, both died of multiple organ failure," said Dr T P Lahane, dean of JJ Hospital.

Bisht’s brother Raghuvir Singh spoke to him the night before he died. "He told me, if anything happened to him, I should take care of his wife and children," said Singh.

Bisht was hit by the blast when he had stepped out of office and decided to buy a Vada Pav before heading home.

A month ago, Bisht, who had been working in Mumbai for 14 years, had decided to return to his village in Uttarakhand along with his wife and son Rohan, as he was  unable to earn enough to support them.

Singh arrived here from Uttarakhand after learning about his brother’s injury in a local newspaper. "We (Bisht’s parents, Singh and second brother Balvant) saw his picture in a newspaper and learnt that he had been injured in the blasts," he said.

Balvant said, "He was better at the start of this week. Last night, he was feeling weak."

After the blast, Bisht was rushed to GT Hospital and then referred to JJ Hospital. He had also suffered multiple fractures. He was recuperating in the hospital, but three days ago, he developed breathlessness and was shifted to the critical care unit.

Verma’s brother Digvijay said his wife and son had arrived in Mumbai to take care of Verma after learning that he had been injured. "His wife and son Chotu were in their village in UP (Uttar Pradesh) when they learnt about the blasts. They are now here," he said.

On Friday, another blast victim had died at Harkisandas Nurottumdas Hospital. A diamond merchant by profession, Shripal Muzhpura was 35 years old and a resident of Malad. He had suffered severe brain injuries in the Opera House blast.

Courtesy: Mid-Day