Updated 11/27/08. 8:20 AM.
I can't believe this is still going on after 20 hours. What a disaster. Summary below. I am trying to keep this diary factual with confirmed information, please put in comments anything that may need to be corrected.
Good sources:
http://www.ndtv.com
http://www.timesofindia.com
http://www.nytimes.com
http://www.cnn.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/...
live stream:
http://www.cnn.com/...
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
some photos from a witness
http://flickr.com/...
Summary as we know it as this point:
- At least 100 confirmed dead, 400 injured. This includes 11 police officers and a mix of Indian and non-Indian nationals.
- Army is now heavily involved and engaging at both the Taj and Oberoi/Trident hotels where terrorists are still active and hostage situations exist still at O/T. Additional situation near Cama Hospital ongoing. Unknown confirmation on casualties and hostages.
- No indication of motive of group at this point. Confirmation of 2 dead terrorist and 9 suspects in custody has been given. 20-25 is the confirmed number of terrorists involved. One terrorist has been caught alive at O/T in the last hour.
- Extermely well coordinated attacks. Attempt to disrupt entire city by focusing on business center of Mumbai.
- American and British passport holders targeted for hostages. Unknown final status of these situations. Trident seems to be the focus of greater hostage situation.
- Reports that Jewish and Israeli resident targeted who lived in one building. Unknown if this is random or planned.
http://www.chabad.org/...
- At least 11 attacks focus on upscale hotels, train stations, a Jewish residency, hospital and specific police targets.
- Terrorists attacked all levels of society (ordinary citizen, police, tourists or foreigners)
- Being called the largest terrorist attack in India.
- Various reports of dozens to hundreds being held hostage focusing on Western (including American hostages) in the hotels.
- Police lead of ATS (anti-terrosim squad) was killed. Other police leads confirmed dead.
http://www.ndtv.com/...
- Major blasts within the hotels during hostage situation and still continue.
- Confirmed that entered through the sea route (Mumbai is on the ocean). Boats found with explosives has been confirmed. Navy is currently engaged.
- Sense of major ramifications from attack developing (9/11 level disgust).
- Fire under control at Taj Hotel - Taj Hotel is an icon of Mumbai. A beautiful old building. Fire bridage engaged. Guests are confirmed still in hotel area.
For those who spent time in India these are the hotels with US, Western, and Indian folks who enjoy their time in India. It is a tourist and business haven.
PE Obama statement:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...
These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism," Obama's chief national security spokesperson, Brooke Anderson, said in a statement.
"The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks."
From a comment:
CNN just gave 888-407-4747 as a number for
friends and realtives can call the State Department to find out if they have any news on people's whereabouts.
They also ask that you do not call unecessarily and clog up the line. Repeat, for news on friends, family, colleagues and assocites welfare. Not just to find out what is going on. For that read here, or watch CNN.
Also if you are trying to telephone or email India don't panic if you can't get through. The communication infrastructure is not terribly reliable at the best of times and this is certainly for some, the worst of times.
Let's act responsibly.
The Taj which is now on fire.