India

Ninety-three freed from Oberoi-Trident hotel in Mumbai

Article published on the 2008-11-28 Latest update 2008-11-28 14:33 TU

Indian commandos are airdropped in Nariman House, which has mainly Jewish residents.
(Photo: Reuters)

Indian security forces were still fighting at three locations in Mumbai on Friday morning in an attempt to free remaining hostages. The number of people still held by attackers at the three sites is not known. Nearly 100 hostages have left the Oberoi-Trident hotel and officials say that 30 bodies have been found inside.

The death toll from the attacks launched on Wednesday night has risen to 130 according to police officials, with the dead including five of the attackers and 14 people from India's security services.

At a residential complex which contains a Jewish centre, at least 17 commandos abseiled onto the roof just after dawn with one news source claiming that Israeli forces were part of the attempted rescue. The Israeli embassy denied that its forces were involved.

At the Oberoi-Trident hotel, 93 people left the building after a police and military operation early on Friday. The vice-chairman of the hotel group had said on Thursday that about 200 people were being held inside the luxury hotel while, on Friday, Mumbai's police chief, Hassan Gafoor said that two gunmen were still in the hotel.

Among those that left the hotel were 20 French nationals and an Air France crew. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told French radio that the group had gone to the French consulate but that other French nationals may still trapped.

One gunman is inside the Taj Mahal hotel, according to Police Chief Gafoor said and gunfire could still being heard on Friday morning. Lieutenant-General S Thamburaj of the Indian army said it was possible there were still hostages inside but that he believed "almost all" the guests and staff of the hotel had been evacuated.

One-hundred-and-twenty people were evacuated from the hotel by security guards armed with kitchen knives and meat cleavers.

An Indian commando told the press on Friday morning that the gunmen were well informed of the layout of the Taj Mahal. He described them as firing indiscriminately and showing no remorse.

Gunfire was also heard on Friday morning outside the city's main railway station.

The latest death toll includes at least six foreign nationals and the Israeli embassy said between ten and 20 Israeli nationals were still being held. The number of wounded has risen to 327.

Israeli newsmedia report that Israel offered advice and commandos to help the operation but that Delhi turned down the offer. Six Israelis are belived to be among those held in Nariman House, where there is a Jewish prayer centre and tourist hostel.