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Shot through the Heart

27 November 2008 Comments

Final Edit 00:20 Nov 30

Please note that the following post applies to an event that is currently underway, and may not be updated. This post may be modified as time passes. Visit http://twitter.com/Sengupta for the latest updates:

edit 14:35, Nov 28: NSG head: Both terrorists at the Oberoi/Trident have been killed. Oberoi/Trident under army control.

Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister: Elements from Pakistan responsible for Mumbai Terror Attack. Proof cannot be disclosed. New Delhi is expected to take this up with Islamabad. The mobile phone captured from the terrorist indicates calls from Karachi. via TimesNow.

edit 11:10, Nov 28: Excerpts from the press interview by Lt. Gen. Thamburaj: One terrorist is moving between two floors of the Taj Heritage building- has shut off electricity to the Dance floor, two terrorists killed yesterday evening in a firefight, almost all the guests and staff have been evacuated. Possible that this this terrorist has 2 or more hostages, or that there may be 2 terrorists. Some of the hotel guests may have locked themselves in. We’re not blowing opening the doors even after having identified ourselves, for their own safety. The NSG commandos have suffered some casualties. I’m not in a position to elaborate on the casualties (fatal or nonfatal). Operations had to be deliberate and slow as the lives of the hostages were at risk. Don’t want to suffer casualties because of a hurry. Cooperation from the Police, Air Force and Navy. First people to respond were the MarCos- Marine Commandos. Able to put together an ad hoc Crisis Management Center, coordinated by Gen. Sisodiya and Gen. Hooda. Media role commendable. Should be able to wrap up things in a few hours

It’s been about 8 20 24 35 odd hours (as of this post) since a huge siege of Mumbai began, with gunmen ripping through several iconic targets in the heart of the city. Details are sketchy coming out right now, but from what I’ve been able to gather from several news sources (primarily the CNN-IBN and NDTV news channels), the sites that have been hit are:

The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower (Persistent shootings, grenade (and possibly RDX) explosions, fires on a number of floors and a hostage situation)

The Oberoi/Trident Hotel (Shootings, explosions, fire and hostage situation)

Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus/Victoria Terminal (The final Train station/headquarters of the Central and Harbour railway lines in Mumbai)(Shootings, explosions)

Nariman House (a Chabad house owned by Chabad Lubavitch an orthodox Jewish movement) (Persistent shootings, explosions, hostage situation)

Cama Hospital (Hostage situation, gun-shots)

Petrol Pump in South Mumbai (Grenade explosion)

Leopold Cafe (Heavy gunshots)

Metro Cinema (Shootings from carjacked police jeep)

South Mumbai Police Headquarters (Shootings)

Vile Parle (Explosion in car)

Mazgaon Docks (Explosion)

Several other possible situations were reported at a number of locations like Napean Sea Road, Borivali and Santa Cruz. As of the final edit, these situations have not been substantiated, but are widely believed to have been rumours.

More than 80 125 160 individuals were reported to have been killed, and over 250 327 injured. ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar and ACP of Police, Ashok Kamte were reported to have been killed, along with several other high ranking policemen. NSG personnel are reported to have been killed as well.

A terrorist outfit called the Deccan Mujahideen is reported to have claimed responsibility. edit: “Intercepts show terrorists speaking in Punjabi,” GoC- Army, via NDTV

Westerners, primarily Americans and Britishers are said to have been the primary targets during this siege. They were apparently rounded up from their rooms at the hotels listed above and held hostage. The status of the hostage situation, as of this post is not yet known.

The terrorists have had hijacked a police vehicle and one or more civilian vehicles and have not been apprehended yet. Indiscriminate firing was reported from these vehicles.

Some important contact details: via Pinstorm’s guide, Mumbai Help, Mumbai Police and Twitter

Hospitals:

St. George Hospital: (022) 22820242
J J Hospital: (022) 23735555,
Bombay Hospital: (022) 22067676 extn 216
K.E.M.Hospital: (022) 24137517
G.T. Hospital: (022) 22630553

Blood Donations:

J J Hospital Blood Bank: (022) 23739400
Cama Hospital Blood Bank : 022) 22611648
St. George Hospital Blood Bank: (022) 22620344, 22620242

For Foreigners:

Canadians:
Foreign Affairs: 1-613-996-8885 from Canada, 1-800-387-3124 from elsewhere

USA:
Help line number US: State Department number” 888.407.4747 Foreign Affairs: 1-613-996-8885

United Kingdom:
Forgeign Office Emergency Telephone Number - 0207 00 800 00.

Brazilians:
Brazilian help line +919820686143 (C)

Australians:
In Mumbai1800 002 214
International +61 2 6261 3305

France, Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Ministère des affaires étrangères
+ 33 (0) 1 45 55 80 00

Nationals of all European Union countries who need assistance in Mumbai can go to the consulate of any of the 27 Member States to receive assistance, announced European ministers in Brussels. (via Briskette’s comment below. Original source here)

Other embassies and consulates in India: http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-in/India

Hotel Helplines (via Twitter):

Taj Hotel: 1800-111-825
(022) 66574322
(022) 66574372
(022) 6665 3366

Trident Hotel: (022) 23890606 (20), 1800 11 2122, International numbers

Oberoi Hotel: (022) 23890606, (022) 23890505

Other Helplines:

Police Control Room: 100
Fire Brigade Control Room: 101
Railway Police Control Room: (022) 23081725, (022) 23007476
Naval Control Room (022) 22663030
Intelligency Bureau Control Room (022) 26522631, (022)26520055

Some thoughts:

One of the most interesting things to note has been the speed at which information has been spread using social media sites, particularly the micro-blogging site, Twitter. You can find my updates here: http://twitter.com/sengupta. Updates on Twitter appeared over an hour before it CNN began covering it. More thoughts on this later.

Useful Links:

Lists of dead and injured (scroll down to find a sortable list embedded in this page). Final Edit: Please note that this list is the one that was initially posted by n to Mumbai Help:

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5

Final Edit: Here are the latest lists of deceased and injured.

To find what people are currently saying about the issue, this might be a good place to begin: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=mumbai

Another useful source of information might be: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/26_November_2008_Mumbai_attacks

Pictures from the site: http://flickr.com/photos/vinu

Arun Shanbag has been posting pictures as well: http://arunshanbhag.com/2008/11/26/mumbai-blasts-taj-is-burning/

Map of attack sites (via Wikipedia):

Sortable list of dead and injured:(via Mumbai Help)

List of evacuees from the Trident/Oberoi (via CNN-IBN)

Please feel free to add details and make corrections in the comments section.

Viewing 15 Comments

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    Thanks. I'm in the US, just got off of work. So just heard about this.
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    The military has fnally arrived and have entered the Oberoi hotel to rescue the hostages.
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    Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the people of Mumbai, be they residents or visitors.
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    the military has managed to rescue 150ppl from the Taj, but sbout 50 continue to be unable to escape. there are at least 5 hostages...
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    Another useful way of monitoring the Twitter traffic: http://tweetgrid.com/grid?l=0&q1=Mumbai
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    Add to foreign contact numbers:

    France, Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Ministère des affaires étrangères

    + 33 (0) 1 45 55 80 00
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    French news: 15 Air France staff trapped in a hotel - some say Oberoi Hotel, officials say "trapped but not hostages" and do not want to confirm hotel name through respect to these staff and families. Sources in French: http://tinyurl.com/6l34ra and http://tinyurl.com/6ddlqo
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    5 to 6 terrorists are currently in Mumbai. No idea where they could be.
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    For the attention of European citizens this is a message from the European Union to help all of you. Please help each other, pass on the message. Source for the French text: http://tinyurl.com/6j5tqz

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    India - भारत. जो कोई भी 27 सदस्य राज्यों के वाणिज्य दूतावास को सहायता प्राप्त करने के लिए जा सकते हैं मुंबई में सहायता की ज़रूरत है सभी यूरोपीय संघ के देशों - राष्ट्रीय, ब्रसेल्स में यूरोपीय मंत्रियों की घोषणा की.

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    England - Nationals of all European Union countries who need assistance in Mumbai can go to the consulate of any of the 27 Member States to receive assistance, announced European ministers in Brussels.

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    Germany - Deutschland - Die Bürger aller Länder der Europäischen Union, die Hilfe brauchen, in Mumbai können sich in das Konsulat in jedem der 27 Mitgliedsstaaten um Hilfe zu erhalten, haben angekündigt, der EU-Minister in Brüssel.

    Bulgaria - България. - Гражданите на всички страни на Европейския съюз, които имат нужда от помощ в Мумбай може да преминете към консулство на някоя от 27-те държави-членки да получават помощ, съобщи европейските министри в Брюксел.

    Cataloña - Català. - Els nacionals de tots els països de la Unió Europea que necessiten assistència a Mumbai pot anar al consolat de qualsevol dels 27 Estats membres per rebre assistència, va anunciar els ministres europeus a Brussel.

    Czech Republic - Česká republika. - Státní příslušníci všech zemí Evropské unie, kteří potřebují pomoc v Bombaji se mohou obrátit na konzulát kteréhokoli z 27 členských států přijímat pomoc, oznámil, evropští ministři v Bruselu.

    Denmark - Danmark. - Statsborgere fra alle EU-lande, der har brug for bistand i Mumbai kan gå til konsulatet i nogen af de 27 medlemsstater til at modtage bistand, meddelte europæiske ministre i Bruxelles.

    Netherlands - Holland. - Onderdanen van alle EU-landen die hulp nodig heeft in Mumbai, kan terecht in het consulaat van een van de 27 lidstaten bijstand kunnen krijgen, kondigde de Europese ministers in Brussel.

    Finland - Suomessa. - Kansalaiset kaikissa Euroopan unionin maissa, jotka tarvitsevat apua Mumbaissa voi mennä konsulaatti jonkin 27 jäsenvaltiot voisivat saada apua, ilmoitti Euroopan ministerit Brysselissä.

    France - Les ressortissants de tous les pays de l'Union européenne qui auraient besoin d'aide à Mumbai peuvent se rendre dans le consulat de n'importe lequel des 27 Etats-membres pour y recevoir assistance, ont annoncé des ministres européens à Bruxelles.

    Greece - Ελλάδα. - Οι υπήκοοι των χωρών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης που χρειάζονται βοήθεια για να μεταβεί στη Βομβάη το προξενείο οποιουδήποτε από τα 27 κράτη μέλη να λάβουν βοήθεια, που ανακοινώθηκε στις Βρυξέλλες οι ευρωπαίοι υπουργοί.

    Italy - Italia. - I cittadini di tutti i paesi dell'Unione europea che hanno bisogno di assistenza a Mumbai può andare al consolato di uno qualsiasi dei 27 Stati membri di ricevere assistenza, ha annunciato ministri europei a Bruxelles.

    Latvia - Latvija. - Pilsoņi no visām Eiropas Savienības valstīs, kuriem ir vajadzīga palīdzība, Mumbaja var doties uz konsulāts kādas no 27 dalībvalstīm, lai saņemtu palīdzību, paziņoja Eiropas ministri Brisele.

    Lithuania - Lietuva. - Piliečių visose Europos Sąjungos šalyse, kuriems reikia pagalbos, Mumbajus galite pereiti į konsulatą bet kurioje iš 27 valstybių narių gauti pagalbą, paskelbtą Europos ministrai Briuselyje.

    Pologne - Polska. - Obywatele wszystkich krajów Unii Europejskiej, którzy potrzebują pomocy w Mumbai może udać się do konsulatu któregokolwiek z 27 państw członkowskich do otrzymania pomocy, ogłosił Europejskiej w Brukseli ministrowie.

    Portugal - Os nacionais de todos os países da União Europeia que precisam de assistência em Bombaim pode ir para o consulado de qualquer um dos 27 Estados-membros para receber ajuda, anunciaram os ministros europeus em Bruxelas.

    Romania - România. - Cetăţenii din toate ţările Uniunii Europene care au nevoie de asistenţă în Mumbai pot merge la consulat a oricăruia din cele 27 de state membre pentru a primi asistenţă, a anunţat miniştrii European de la Bruxelles.

    Slovak Republic - Slovensko. - Štátni príslušníci všetkých krajín Európskej únie, ktorí potrebujú pomoc v Bombaji sa môžu obrátiť na konzulát ktoréhokoľvek z 27 členských štátov prijímať pomoc, oznámil, európski ministri v Bruseli.

    Slovenia - Slovenije. - Državljani vseh držav članic Evropske unije, ki potrebujejo pomoč v Bombaj lahko šla na konzulatu katere koli izmed 27 držav članic, da prejemajo pomoč, ki je bil objavljen evropskih ministrov v Bruslju.

    Spain - España. - Los nacionales de todos los países de la Unión Europea que necesitan asistencia en Mumbai puede ir al consulado de cualquiera de los 27 Estados miembros para recibir asistencia, anunció los ministros europeos en Bruselas.

    Sweden - Sverige. - Medborgare i alla EU-länder som behöver bistånd i Mumbai kan gå till konsulatet i någon av de 27 medlemsstaterna att få stöd, meddelade EU: s ministrar i Bryssel.

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    For the attention of other European citizens whose native language cannot be easily translated from French but who may understand the message. Please help each other, pass on the message.

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    Arabic - العربية. -- جميع مواطني بلدان الاتحاد الأوروبي الذين يحتاجون إلى مساعدة في مومباى يمكن الذهاب إلى القنصلية من أي من الدول الأعضاء ال 27 لتلقي المساعدة ، وأعلن الوزراء الأوروبيون في بروكسل.

    China - 中国。 -国民的所有欧洲联盟国家需要援助，谁在孟买可以去领事馆的任何27个会员国接受援助，宣布欧盟部长在布鲁塞尔举行。

    Croatia - Hrvatska. - Državljani svih zemalja Europske unije koja je potrebna pomoć u Mumbaiju može ići u konzulat bilo koje od 27 država članica primiti pomoć, najavio je europski ministri u Bruxellesu.

    Indonesia - Indonesia. - Negara dari semua negara Uni Eropa yang memerlukan bantuan di Padang dapat pergi ke mana-mana konsulat dari 27 negara-negara anggota untuk menerima bantuan, mengumumkan menteri Eropa di Brussels.

    Israel - ישראל. - אזרחות של כל מדינות האיחוד האירופי הזקוקים לסיוע מומבאי יכולים ללכת כל לקונסוליה של 27 המדינות החברות על מנת לקבל סיוע, הודיעו השרים האירופית בבריסל.

    Korea - 한국. 누구라도 27 회원 국가의 영사관에 가서 도움을받을 수있는 뭄바이에서 도움을 필요로하는 모든 유럽 연합 국가 중 - 내셔널, 브뤼셀에있는 유럽 장관은 발표했다.

    Japan -
    日本。人は、 27の加盟国の領事館への支援を受けるに行くことができますムンバイでの支援が必要なすべての欧州連合国の-ナショナルズは、ブリュッセルの欧州閣僚を発表した。

    Philippines - Pilipinas. - Regionals ng lahat ng mga European Union bansa na nangangailangan ng tulong sa Quezon City ay maaaring pumunta sa konsulado ng anumang ng 27 Member States na tumanggap ng tulong, inihayag European ministers in Brussels.

    Russia - Россия - граждане всех стран Европейского союза, которые нуждаются в помощи в Мумбаи могут пойти в консульство любой из 27 государств-членов на получение помощи, объявили европейских министров в Брюсселе.

    Serbia - Србија - држављани свих земаља Европске уније која је потребна помоћ у Мумбаију може ићи у конзулат било које од 27 држава чланица примити помоћ, најавио је европски министри у Бриселу .

    Ukraine - Україна. - Громадянам всіх країн Європейського союзу, які потребують допомоги в Мумбаї можуть піти в консульство будь-який з 27 держав-членів на одержання допомоги, оголосили європейських міністрів у Брюсселі.

    Viet Nam - Việt Nam. - Dân của tất cả các quốc gia Liên minh châu Âu người cần sự trợ giúp ở Mumbai có thể đi đến các lãnh sự quán của bất kỳ một trong 27 nước thành viên để nhận được sự giúp đỡ, thông báo Bộ trưởng châu Âu tại Brussels.

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    Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:36:06 GMT - Author: DPA - Source: http://tinyurl.com/5ms9u9 - © 2008 earthtimes.org - Excerpts only:

    (1) A French couple that had been dining in the restaurant of the Oberoi Trident hotel [...] have gone missing [...]
    (2) 15 [ed:Air France] crew members that had been "stuck" in the Oberoi Trident were able to walk out [...]
    (3) Another 20 French citizens were rescued [...]
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    sm more info....700 pigeons died off the noise of grenade blasts and gunshots, near taj mahal palace hotel...
    • ^
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    Hi Aditya, this is a great job! Simply outstanding!
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    Thanks Kokonad!
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    I was going thru the rest of your blog, you have come a great long way from the videos on cancer! :) :)
    • ^
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    Nice theme.

    I like this
 

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