'Significant' British casualties in Mumbai massacre

Published on Thursday 27 November 2008 09:17

ONE Briton was killed and at least seven were injured in devastating co-ordinated attacks on Mumbai that left more than 100 dead, officials said today.

Gunmen opened fire yesterday on a series of civilian targets in the heart of India's financial capital, including two luxury hotels and a packed railway station.

The violence continued for a second day as terrorists holding hostages exchanged fire with Indian commandos.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) confirmed one Briton died and said next of kin had been informed, but would not give any more details.

Sir Richard Stagg, the British High Commissioner in India, said he had seen three or four injured Britons in hospital but admitted the total "must be significantly more".

Earlier he said he knew of at least seven British casualties.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the horrific attacks had been met by "shock and outrage" around the world and pledged all possible UK support for the Indian authorities.

He went on: "This is the loss of innocent lives, people just going about their daily business. We've got to do everything we can now to help."

Mr Brown revealed the Government's emergency Cobra committee met twice immediately after the incident and said he was in touch with "a number" of world leaders.

"In time we will assess which group has been responsible – we don't have all the details – and what the implications are for the rest of the world," he said.

An FCO rapid deployment team, including two British Red Cross workers, flew to Mumbai this morning to help Britons caught up in the attacks.

UK police and security officials with anti-terror experience also travelled to India to support British High Commission staff, and Indian officials if required.

Speaking from Mumbai, Sir Richard said: "It's a pretty confused situation still.

"The crisis at the Oberoi hotel is continuing and I think the Indians have been focusing very much on bringing the terrorist incident to a conclusion and on getting the injured people to hospitals as quickly as possible.

"Those that I saw appeared to be being looked after well."

A British woman who was shot during the attacks recounted today how she held her husband as he slipped out of consciousness.

Retired teachers Diane and Michael Murphy, from near Hexham in Northumberland, are on holiday in India and had only been in Mumbai for one day when the terrorists struck.

Mrs Murphy, 58, was shot in the foot and her husband, 59, took a bullet in the ribs when the terrorists stormed the packed Leopold Cafe.

Mr Murphy needed to have his spleen removed and remains in intensive care.

His wife, who is still in hospital, recalled: "All of a sudden there was automatic gunfire. The whole place fell apart.

"It was tremendously loud. My husband and I were hit, as were lots of people. Everybody was down on the ground. The gunfire stopped for a few seconds then started again.

"We had to wait – it seemed like an age – for the police to arrive.

"I stayed with my husband because I could tell he was seriously injured. He was losing consciousness."