[Rapa-Ripa]

Mod Note: this thread is for updates, information and commiserations. All discussion on the reasons for and handling of the attacks to go in the thread in the Masala Chai and Chat forum.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7751160.stm

Just saw horrible news. Gunmen obviously have attacked Taj and Oberoi Hotels. Helsingin Sanomat here in Finland said there´s been attack in Cafe Leopold.

[machadinha]

Jesus Christ, was just watching the evening news here.

What to say, people. Thinking of all of you, as always. I saw VT and some other train stations pass by as other targets (or at least that VT had been cordoned off now. Details so far as reported here seem to be very sketchy. It does seem clear Colaba and a number of tourist spots were specifically targeted.)

Do use the obvious news channels for further info; an obvious one would be Google News at http://news.google.com/news?ned=us. I expect it to be relegated to their top stories soon [edit: It has been as I was typing], it's currently a little lower, under "World." What time did this start? I suspect not long ago, if this is the first report of it here.

Direct links to dozens of Indian news sources are at http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/india.htm .

[judecg]

I'm in Bombay... watching live on tv now. No news of attack on Leopolds. But it's pretty crazy. From what I can see... and you can never tell if the coverage is correct... there have been 7 attacks. Biggest seem on Taj and Oberoi Hotels (some foreigners of British and American descent taken hostage they are saying) and there is continuing acting going on with the terrorists there. A hospital in Colaba was attacked, as was CST Station, and Vile Parle Station... inside Metro cinema. Gunmen with AK-47's running around. they've killed one guy apparently. 25 people dead... 20 hurt... so far

[judecg]

Two terrorists dead they're saying now.... fire in the Oberoi hotel

[judecg]

One attack was in front of Cama hospital.. Colaba I think

[Ignite]

I just read the news myself.

"The lobby of the Taj hotel is on fire," a police spokesman said. "We are trying to find out how many people are inside the hotel.".......Television stations also reported shooting outside the Cafe Leopold, a popular restaurant for tourists in the city, and at hospitals and railway stations.

A Reuters reporter heard two explosions and then short bursts of automatic gunfire in the same street as the restaurant.........."They entered the passenger hub of a station and started firing," A.K. Sharma, a Mumbai police government railway police commissioner told local television....

Multiple attacks in Mumbai kill at least 10

[judecg]

I think there has been another explosion at the Taj

[judecg]

Gun battle outside Metro Cinema and policeman taken hostage.... I still haven't heard any reference on any of the Bombay channels of Leopolds...

[judecg]

Just saw an interview with a guy from London (NRI)... who was staying in the Taj. He said two very young guys with bombs and guns were asking for Brits and Americans... searching for them... and he went to the 18th floor and escaped.

[piran_e]

The terrorists seem to be becoming more and more daring and it is always Mumbai which faces the worst brunt. Very sad and unfortunate.

[judecg]

so there was a blast on the rooftop of the Taj hotel... and about 20-25 guests held inside

[judecg]

..and now gunshots being heard... boy... this is nervewracking

[Enchantedwon]

**So I've been researching a lot of this seeing as my husband and I leave for Mumbai in 10 days, and I'm 6 months pregnant. My family is none-too-pleased that we are still going. It's funny, I've always had the "nothing can hurt me" way of thinking when I travel. I've been to places recently hit by terrorist attacks, yet never thought much about it until now (could be the little soccer player kicking inside of me). Now I'm actually nervous. Thankfully we're staying in a friend of a friend's house/condo.

Info on Leopolds:


Leopold's restaurant was riddled with bullet holes and there were bloodstains on the floor and shoes left by fleeing customers, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.

[judecg]

I'm watching footage of them defusing a bomb outside the hotel... and they're talking about how one of the most expensive suites of the hotel is on fire. Man... this is unbelievable!

No robots to defuse bombs here... it's a guy

60 bodies dead now.. reports are saying... jeez!!

[kayozz]

I have friends and family over there...