Mumbai/IBNS, March 19 -- The Indian stock market witnessed a sharp crash at the opening bell on Thursday, snapping a three-session gaining streak, media reports said.

By the second hour, the Sensex was still trading over 1,800 points lower. Meanwhile, the Nifty extended its losses, slipping more than 500 points.

The sharp decline comes amid a surge in global crude prices, with Brent crude crossing the $110 mark following Iran's attack on key energy facilities in the Gulf region.

All sectoral indices opened in the red, with Nifty Realty, Auto, Bank, Financial Services, and Consumer Durables indices falling around 2 percent each.

Market expert Anil Singhvi told Zee Business that he sees immediate support for the Nifty 50 in the 23,150-2...