Mumbai uses Twitter and Facebook to coordinate response to bomb blasts
Social networks used to offer humanitarian aid and shelter
By John Ribeiro | Published: 11:28, 14 July 2011
After three deadly blasts in the city, the people of Mumbai are using the Internet and social networks to help coordinate blood donations, hospitals and even shelter for people.
On Twitter, users were asking for and offering blood, places to stay and transport, and offering to communicate messages to relatives. Special hash tags like #here2help, #needhelp and #mumbaiblasts were in place on Twitter soon after the blasts to coordinate rescue work.
Twitter, Facebook and other networks were also used to popularise an online spreadsheet on Google Docs, set up by Nitin Sagar. The spreadsheet, called Mumbai Help, can be updated by the public and includes information on hospitals, TV channels, blood donors and communications from people requesting or offering help.
Related Articles on Techworld
FM radio channels are also passing messages to relatives, alerting on disturbances and conveying requests for blood donations and other kinds of help.
Described as terrorist attacks by the Indian government, the blasts at three different busy locations in Mumbai left about 20 people killed and more than a hundred injured, according to reports.
