More news on the terrible attacks in Mumbai is beginning to emerge. Seven simultaneous attacks have been reported, including attacks on The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Mumbai and The Oberoi Mumbai. Other tourist targets have included one of India‘s busiest railway stations, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and the Leopold Café. The remaining three locations are the docks at Mazagaon, the Vile Parle suburb of the city and the Cama Hospital. Sixteen armed groups are said to have been patrolling the city. Click here for a Google map of the Mumbai attacks, outlining these 7 locations.
The Taj Mahal Palace has had its top floor engulfed in flames at the southern end of the building. Shootings and at least six explosions have been reported. One eye witness has stated that a gunman opened fire in the hotel lobby. Half a dozen or so hostages are said to be being held at the hotel and commandos have surrounded the buliding.
At the Oberoi Mumbai it is rumoured that forty hostages are being held by three or four gunmen but there seems to be a great deal of uncertainty on this point at this stage. At Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus there have been more shootings and some grenades. Terrorists opened fire in the Leopold Café, not far from the Taj Palace. The siege on the hospital has been cleared by police.
An Islamic terrorist group called the Deccan Mujahideen is claiming responsibility for the attacks. Latest reports are that 84 people have been killed – including some security officials – and 250 injured. 4 suspected terrorists have been killed and 9 arrested.
The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued a telephone number for those concerned for family. It is 020 7008 0000. UK nationals in India can register their details with their LOCATE service.
Similarly, the US State Department has issued the number 888 407 4747 for Americans to concerned about family members in Mumbai. Australians should contact the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 1300 555 135.
Thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved in the tragedy.
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.
Did you enjoy this article?
Receive similar content direct to your inbox.
One Comment
Recently, a number of our members and our top staff person enjoyed the Taj Hotel in Mumbai before they boarded our luxury train, so much so that they wrote about it glowingly in their post-trip reports. Perhaps the main element of praise was heaped on the staff and the service at both the hotel and the the train, which is managed by the Taj Hotel. We are confident that the extraordinary service will continue and that the security at the hotel will be increased significantly as promised. Our sincere prayers go out to all those who lost loved ones and family members in the attacks,including the manager and staff members of the Taj. Although there are many elements of luxury, I believe the crucial element of luxury is heart-felt service; at a Taj-managed property, that is what travelers will experience. The best way we can show our support is to book travel to India soon. And by the way, the train, called the Deccan Odyssey, does not leave from the iconic Bombay V.T.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Flagler Hardy
President
The Society of International Railway Travelers
Comments are closed.
Subscribe!
Subscribe today to get our weekly newsletter! You don’t want to miss out!
The Taj Mahal Palace has had its top floor engulfed in flames at the southern end of the building. Shootings and at least six explosions have been reported. One eye witness has stated that a gunman opened fire in the hotel lobby. Half a dozen or so hostages are said to be being held at the hotel and commandos have surrounded the buliding.
At the Oberoi Mumbai it is rumoured that forty hostages are being held by three or four gunmen but there seems to be a great deal of uncertainty on this point at this stage. At Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus there have been more shootings and some grenades. Terrorists opened fire in the Leopold Café, not far from the Taj Palace. The siege on the hospital has been cleared by police.
An Islamic terrorist group called the Deccan Mujahideen is claiming responsibility for the attacks. Latest reports are that 84 people have been killed – including some security officials – and 250 injured. 4 suspected terrorists have been killed and 9 arrested.
The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued a telephone number for those concerned for family. It is 020 7008 0000. UK nationals in India can register their details with their LOCATE service.
Similarly, the US State Department has issued the number 888 407 4747 for Americans to concerned about family members in Mumbai. Australians should contact the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 1300 555 135.
Thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved in the tragedy.
The Taj Mahal Palace has had its top floor engulfed in flames at the southern end of the building. Shootings and at least six explosions have been reported. One eye witness has stated that a gunman opened fire in the hotel lobby. Half a dozen or so hostages are said to be being held at the hotel and commandos have surrounded the buliding.
At the Oberoi Mumbai it is rumoured that forty hostages are being held by three or four gunmen but there seems to be a great deal of uncertainty on this point at this stage. At Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus there have been more shootings and some grenades. Terrorists opened fire in the Leopold Café, not far from the Taj Palace. The siege on the hospital has been cleared by police.
An Islamic terrorist group called the Deccan Mujahideen is claiming responsibility for the attacks. Latest reports are that 84 people have been killed – including some security officials – and 250 injured. 4 suspected terrorists have been killed and 9 arrested.
The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued a telephone number for those concerned for family. It is 020 7008 0000. UK nationals in India can register their details with their LOCATE service.
Similarly, the US State Department has issued the number 888 407 4747 for Americans to concerned about family members in Mumbai. Australians should contact the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 1300 555 135.
Thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved in the tragedy.
Recently, a number of our members and our top staff person enjoyed the Taj Hotel in Mumbai before they boarded our luxury train, so much so that they wrote about it glowingly in their post-trip reports. Perhaps the main element of praise was heaped on the staff and the service at both the hotel and the the train, which is managed by the Taj Hotel. We are confident that the extraordinary service will continue and that the security at the hotel will be increased significantly as promised. Our sincere prayers go out to all those who lost loved ones and family members in the attacks,including the manager and staff members of the Taj. Although there are many elements of luxury, I believe the crucial element of luxury is heart-felt service; at a Taj-managed property, that is what travelers will experience. The best way we can show our support is to book travel to India soon. And by the way, the train, called the Deccan Odyssey, does not leave from the iconic Bombay V.T.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Flagler Hardy
President
The Society of International Railway Travelers