Mumbai, Mar 13 : Global turmoil crippled the domestic stock markets today with the benchmark Sensex nose diving to six-and-a-half month low of 15,357.35 points in its sixth biggest fall of 770.63 points.

The 30-share BSE Sensex opened with a negative gap of 255 points at 15,873, and continued to drift downwards as the day progressed on the back of weak global markets.

Indian shares provisionally closed 4.85 percent down on Thursday, spooked by global equities turmoil and signs of a slowdown in the local Economy. Top listed firm Reliance Industries Ltd led the slide.

The 50-issue NSE index provisionally fell 5.06 percent to 4,625.35.

The BSE market breadth was extremely negative - out of 2,708 stocks traded, 2,332 declined and 345 advanced today. (ANI)