Terror attacks in Mumbai: UK politician fled as gunman sprayed bullets round hotel lobby

Published on Thursday 27 November 2008 08:18

A CONSERVATIVE MEP last night told of his terror as he was caught up in the attack on the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai.

Sajjad KarimSajjad Karim, who was part of a trade delegation visiting the city, was barricaded in a basement room after he fled from machine-gun fire.

He said: "I was in the lobby of the hotel when gunmen came in and people started running. There were about 25 or 30 of us.

"A gunman just stood there spraying bullets around, right next to me. I managed to turn away and I ran into the hotel kitchen and then we were shunted into the basement.

"We are now in the dark in this room and we've barricaded all the doors. It's really bad."

He said that as he ran from the lobby, he saw people falling but did not know the extent of any casualties. He said it seemed to be a "random attack".

Mr Karim, 38, was part of a delegation of MEPs visiting Mumbai ahead of a forthcoming European Union-India summit. Eight Euro MPs were believed to be in Mumbai last night, including another Tory British MEP, Syed Kamall, who represents London.

However, a Tory party spokesman said he was thought to be safe and well.

Mohammed Shafiq, the chief executive of the Muslim youth group the Ramadhan Foundation spoke to Mr Karim last night. He said: "As you can imagine, he is stunned and shaken. It sounds like the terrorists are determined to cause havoc and kill people. Nothing justifies this."

The Taj Mahal Palace, one of the most famous hotels in India, was home to the England cricket team when they visited Mumbai about two weeks ago.

More on this story:

Mumbai massacre: Death toll mounts

Eyewitness account: 'Gunmen shot man standing next to me'

Tour cancelled? England crickets may come home