Mumbai

[Leesifer]

There are still people either being held hostage or hiding in Mumbai

First bulletins this morning said that the hostage situation was over but on the news earlier, an office worker was on the phone saying that he had barricaded himself in his office, using furniture up against the door, and could hear gunshots and people running about.

As some of you may know, my parents are in India at the moment on holiday and for a wedding. Thankfully, they left Mumbai on Tuesday.

[Watser?]

Yeah, I just read that 200 people are still held at the Oberoi hotel. And that the number of dead is now 125.

It's fucking depressing...

[godfry n. glad]

It's good they left.

All I've heard is that some 125 people are dead and that the perpetrators have hostages in some prestigious fine hotel.

No idea of who is claiming what, if anything.

Of course, the news here states that the targets were British and Americans. I don't know how much hysteria is distorting the information.

[Watser?]

It says here Brits, Americans and Israelis. I think that is probably correct. A lot of Israelis go on a tour of India after they leave the army.

[Leesifer]

That's being reported here too, British and Americans anyway.

Apparently a group called the Deccan Mujahideen are claiming responsibility for the attack.

[Watser?]

Chabad house‎ was one of the targets, a cafe, synagogue and center for drug addicts run by an Israeli rabbi, so that's why they included Israelis in the targets, I guess.

Ha'aretz adds:

Between 20 to 30 Israelis were also reported to be among the dozens of hostages held by gunmen at the Trident-Oberoi hotel in a separate siege in the city.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1041535.html

[Clutch Munny]

[JoeP]

Originally Posted by Leesifer

Thankfully, they left Mumbai on Tuesday.

Close shave.

[Leesifer]

I've just received a text from my Mum:

"Dad has just been interviewed 4 tv about the troubles in Mumbai."

They think it's going to be on Sky.

[Legs]

I'm so glad they are okay, Lees.

[Watser?]

So they did have a narrow escape, huh?

[viscousmemories]

I'm glad your parents are safe, Lees.

I hadn't heard about this until yesterday when I received an urgent bulletin from work that all business travel to India had been suspended. Apparently they're not taking any chances, because now our employees have to clear all travel to India, Pakistan and Thailand with Global Security until at least 1/9/09.

Anyone else think, "We give them half our jobs, and this is the thanks we get"?

Yes, yes. Going to hell, blah blah blah.

Glad your folks got away in time, Lees.

[Qingdai]

We did also give them the Bhopal disaster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, so it hasn't been all sunshine and roses.

Considering the religious infighting going on in India, it's not that surprising that there would be attacks such as this. I guess mainly the Indians are attacked so it doesn't register in our news media.

I am glad to know your parents were unharmed Lees.

[Watser?]

Yeah, there have been worse attacks than this, but on Indians only so far: Muslims killing Hindus and vice versa and lately Hindus killing Christians.

[trientalis]

The hostages at the Jewish Center are dead

[Leesifer]

Damn, trientalis, I didn't see that earlier!

There's a possibility of British Citizens being involved in the attacks.

[wildernesse]

I'm glad to hear that your family is safe, Lees. I bet you'll feel better when they are all safe at home again.