Taj Mahal Palace & Tower: terrorist attack

Guests and staff rescued from The Oberoi, Mumbai

Leanne Bell, 28 November 2008

Rescue carried out at the luxury property following terrorist attack in Mumbai

Guests and staff have been evacuated from The Oberoi, Mumbai.

A statement on the property's website said: "We were granted permission to begin evacuating guests from the hotel at 02.15pm.

"Staff of the hotel accompanied by personnel from the security forces are now proceeding from room to room and escorting guests to the lobby level of the hotel.

"From there, the guests will be led to a nearby facility where first aid and counselling will be offered.

"Representatives from consulates are assisting.

"After details of each guest are confirmed, we will take them to other hotels in the city where arrangements have been made for their stay.

"This process is likely to take several hours as we are going room to room, one floor at a time."

Meanwhile, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower reports that rescue and recovery work at the property continues.

"The hotel management and staff are working closely with authorities and providing full co-operation for the safety and security of all our guests and staff," said a statement from the hotel.

It has been widely reported that a group of Deutsche Bank executives from Europe were in the property.

The bank's Asia-Pacific region managing director, head of communications, Michael West told C&IT: "All Deutsche Bank staff have been contacted and accounted for."