Russian tourist killed in India

wichy

http://en.rian.ru/world/20071230/94907759.html

NEW DELHI, December 30 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian woman was killed in India in an armed attack on a train she was traveling by, Indian media reported Sunday.

It was reported that Friday afternoon about six armed robbers burst into a train bound for Mumbai near Dabhaura station on the border between the northern Uttar Pradesh state and the central Madhya Pradesh state.

The criminals demanded that the passengers give them money and jewelry, but three Russians resisted them. The clash resulted in injuries for the Russians, who were Nadezhda, her husband Sergei and friend Alina. Nadezhda died in a hospital of wounds later.

Local police were unavailable for comment.

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Past the point of no return...

capt_mahajan

Terrible, and very sad. Don't know what else to say.

Another link to the tragedy:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/R...ow/2659793.cms

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Outside the machine

AlexanderGrishin

Of course, terrible!
We are planning to go to India soon and extremely shocked now so an idea to cancel our trip is appearing. Does anybody know about similar events? What can to say those who living in India for a long time?

wichy

In which part of India are you going? I think it depends.

But anyway... I think some bad accident could be in any country - and to be honest I never feel India is more dangerouse then Russia. But if it could make your nervouse and spoil all your trip - you could at least change your route.

RedSwordfish

It's really a sad incident. However, I think one should not be kept from travelling because of crime. If you are robbed, just hand over your valuables and don't try to fight. I got robbed twice in Brazil and cooperating with the robbers worked well. Your life is more valuable than any cash!!

edwardseco

An unfortunate but rare event in India. Its much safer there than LA..

atala

Very unfortunate story indeed. I agree, do not resist robbers, they are nervous to get their thing over with fast. Always keep passport and money on your body, under your shirt; also in a train or a car. They do not have time, or forget to look there. Give them everything else and they will leave you alone. One point to remember is, though: it seems unreal when you are threatened with a gun pointed at you. The suspense is lacking that we know from films. One tends to not take the threat seriously at first. It takes time to realize what is really happening and how dangerous it is.

Kingstonian

Seriously good point, Atala – they don’t start playing that spooky music to warn you what’s coming …

From a couple of personal experiences (nothing like the same scale as poor Nadezhda and her companions), of knives, not guns, disbelief was my first response. It wouldn’t be easy to think to reach quickly for your money and hand it over if your brain is full of “uuuuhhhhh???????000000”.

Once the shock and disbelief pass, it’s still hard to engage the thinking processes, rather than “instinct”. And there are no rules – each occasion is different. It’s probably better to hand over the money (if that’s what’s wanted), but sometimes it isn’t, and perhaps it’s back to “instinct” to determine the difference …

My own personal rules/practices are:

- try and stay as fit as possible, so your reactions work better
- walk the line – between relaxing and enjoying yourself, keeping alert, and being paranoid (might as well stay home …)
- don’t rely on others’ instincts and opinions: try not to make like a sheep …, but listen to others’ experiences and experts’ advice
- when feeling tired, sick, jet-lagged, culture-shocked, the passing of the years - pay more (catch a taxi …?)
- as and when it occurs to you, mentally rehearse what you could do, in any given situation – but don’t ruminate and dwell on it
- fear paralyses – remind yourself to breathe!
- enjoy!

camelgirl

Redswordfish, Edwardseco and Atala have it right, keep passport & major cash inside your clothes, hand over everything else. That kind of robber is in a hurry. Resisting is absurd--that's anywhere in the world.

I must say I find it almost amusing to hear people from Russia being afraid of India. If you can believe what you read, and you really often cannot! Russia is a very crime ridden country this past 15 years.

Don't cancel any India trip based on fear of crime. And don't worry about being friendly. This doesn't mean going into dark back alleys with someone friendly

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wichy

From where is your info? And which crimes do you mean? We have our share of crimes, of course - but I think the same is everywhere... I must say, I'm not afraid to walk along the street even at night. And definetly we don't have armed robbery at trains.
And I don't think all the Russians are afraid of India. The accident with Russian tourist is very sad and bas thing, but in my opinion - her nationality doesn't matter... As for the people I've told here - most are afraid of deceases and food problems - not crimes.

leeema

Oh yes, more likely you'll get stabbed with a knife on on a train rather than being shot with the gun (guns are too noisy)...

Lauviah

I feel that India is a secure place;in fact as a Russian it will be more secure for you than for Black people in Russia.

machadinha

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DUNCAN

Tragic But Not In Vein, Maybe They Wont Try To Rob Westerners Again. I Would Have Done The Same.

Nick-H

Eh? You would have robbed a Russian tourist?