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Standoff in Mumbai Approaches 24-Hour Mark
Aired November 27, 2008 - 11:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello everyone. It is Thursday, November 27th. And here are the top stories we are following for you this hour in the CNN NEWSROOM.
Our CNN journalists are on the scene in Mumbai, where a standoff between Indian police and terrorists approaches the 24-hour mark. Fire is burning at two prestigious Mumbai hotels right now. India's elite counterterrorism force is reportedly preparing an assault to free hostages.
A momentous day also in Iraq. The country's parliament approves the plan for U.S. forces to leave by the end of 2011.
And good morning everyone. It is 11:00 a.m. in the eastern United States, 9:30 p.m. in Mumbai, India.
I am Tony Harris. And you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
To India and another day of terror. New explosions and gunfire as the terrorist siege in mumbai goes on. Here is what we know right now.
At least 125 people have been killed in 10 separate attacks on popular spots for westerners. At least 327 people are hurt. Reports indicate as many as 50 people are being held hostage.
President Bush is among a chorus of world leaders condemning the attacks. India's prime minister promises to find and punish those responsible.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MANMOHAN SINGH, INDIA PRIME MINISTER: We will go after these individuals and organizations and make sure that every perpetrator, organizer and supporter of terror, whatever his affiliation or religion may be, pays a heavy price for these cowardly and horrific acts against our people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: These attacks took place in several locations around Mumbai. As you can see from this map, the targets stretch across a large part of Mumbai's southern peninsula, from a hospital and train station to the north, to a cluster of restaurants to the south, and upscale hotels on the east and west coast. Witnesses say the attacks were -- the attackers were actually armed with assault rifles, hand grenades and explosives. CNN's team is all over this story. Sara Sidner is outside the Taj Hotel. Andrew Stevens is at the Oberoi. We also have correspondents and analysts in London, New York and Washington. And our Ed Henry is checking with the Obama camp in Chicago.
Let's get to the scene right now. It is night there, just after 9:30 p.m. Sara Sidner has been at the Taj Hotel for several hours now.
And Sara, if you would, give us the latest. If you would, describe the scene at this hour.
SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, right now there is a window that is still showing a lot of flames within the building of the Taj Hotel, the historic, 105-year-old hotel. I should tell you that just two seconds ago, I just got off the phone with someone who was inside the hotel. I will not give you their name or tell you what room they're in or what floor they're on -- we want to keep that private -- but they're inside the hotel.
They're from Chicago. They came here with their husbands, their best friend and their brother-in-law, and they're all hold up inside the hotel. They have their doors closed, locked, everything turned off so that there's no light in their room.
They say they, themselves, definitely heard explosions. We, too, heard explosions, about seven of them, over the past couple hours. The last one, there was a muffled sort of bang and then several gunshots. It sounded like about 10, according to them.
It sounded like a gun battle -- that's how they described it -- from within the Taj. They have been hold up there.
They are not hostages, but they're simply in their rooms, too afraid to come out. They said that they have had their door knocked on a couple of times, but they are not going up to open it. Nobody said anything when they knocked on the door. And then they looked out the peephole and apparently saw men with guns walking along the corridor.
And so the family has been there since this started, almost 24 hours ago, with no sleep. They sound like they're holding up well, but obviously they are wondering when someone is going to rescue them, when they can leave. And at this point, no matter what they're hearing from media sources or from sort of outside sources, they are not comfortable with going anywhere because they keep hearing these loud bangs and then what sounds to be, what appears to be and sounds like gunfire with inside the Taj Hotel -- Tony.
HARRIS: Sara, just a couple of questions come to mind with respect to that family holed up in that hotel. I'm just curious. I'm trying to imagine myself in that hotel, in that situation right now.
How do you know -- how would this family know who to trust with information? Sure, people are knocking on the door. Any sense of what they can trust, what they can believe in? Any kind of communication set up between this family and someone with the hotel? The basic question is who do you trust in this situation?
SIDNER: I think that's the thing that they have the most trouble with, because if someone comes knocking on your door and you've been told to lock everything and don't open the door until somebody safe comes along, how do you know who that is? It's a matter of looking through the peephole, on the one hand.
On the other hand, you know, you just never know what is happening. So that's the situation they've been in for the past 24 hours. And at one point authorities were telling us things are over, it looks like things are dying down.
Not the case. Not the case. There are still people inside this hotel that are very much on lockdown mode and that keep hearing what we're hearing from the outside, except much louder, and for them much more frightening, gunshots, 10 at a time, and then followed by sometimes explosions, sometimes sort of muffled sounds of explosions. They say it ricocheted all over the inside of this hotel and it's terrifying to them.
HARRIS: I guess my other thought is, I'm curious, if someone is knocking at the door, you don't know whether it's the attackers, you don't know whether it's the police, even if the person on the other side of the door identifies themselves as the police. I'm wondering -- we're still talking about a hotel here, so we're talking about phones.
I'm just wondering, and maybe this is something, ground that you didn't cover with these folks, is there some kind of signal that has been established, maybe a phone call from someone with the hotel? There again, I don't know what you trust that would indicate to people that the coast is clear, because we do know there are some people who have made it out of these hotels.
SIDNER: Yes. They did not describe that to me. And there may be reasons for that.
HARRIS: Yes. Sure.
SIDNER: Obviously you don't want to tip off the people inside. Though they did tell me -- they said, look, they don't believe -- they believe still that there are still terrorists inside this hotel. And there have been reports that -- we have spoken to authorities that say that there are about five people still inside. But that was several hours ago, and the scene has changed several times since then.
They let the media closer. They made it seem like things were maybe boiling down a bit. And then we heard the loud bangs and the gunshots again.
HARRIS: Yes. And Sara, let me jump in for a second.
SIDNER: So this family is -- yes.
HARRIS: Sure. Let me jump in for a second. I just want to try to, at least at the moment -- and I know this is a very fluid situation -- I want to try to bottom-line it for what and where we are right now.
There have been some reports that perhaps the siege, at least at one of the hotels, was coming to a close. That does not appear to be the case at all, correct?
SIDNER: Correct. That is the best way to put it, Tony.
Things are still going on here. There's still a scene. We're still being cordoned off. There's still loud bangs coming from inside of the structure itself, and there's still smoke coming out of one of the windows of the fourth floor of this historic hotel.
HARRIS: OK. Sara Sidner, I know it's been a long 24 hours for you. And perhaps when we talk again, we will talk about some of the difficulties you had a little earlier in your day outside of the Taj Hotel.
Sara Sidner for us on the ground, on the scene.
You know, when the attacks started, a lot of people were enjoying an evening meal in the hotel restaurant. Some barely escaped the terror attacks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALEX CHAMBERLAIN, SURVIVED ATTACK ON HOTEL RESTAURANT: The gunmen came into the restaurant and we were ushered -- or some of us were ushered into the kitchen. I think some of the others got out the back door.
And then the gunmen told us to go up the stairs, up the fire escape stairs, about 30 of us all together. So we were walking up each flight of stairs and then he stopped us after two or three flights and told everyone to put your hands up and said, "Where are you from? Any British or Americans here? Show us your I.D." And all this.
People started getting out their business cards, or I.D. cards, or whatever. And my friend said, you know, "Tell them you're Italian or something if they come up to you." So I was there with my hands up just thinking, you know, basically I was in serious trouble.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They just kept saying to people, "Be quite. Stay quiet. It will all be OK." But nobody actually had any information. But we could just hear it all.
We knew when the army were in because we could hear the army running through the hotel. And we just heard all the gunfire and we heard all the blasts.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HARRIS: OK. And just another reminder. This is a situation, a siege that we're talking about nearly 24 hours now. Some incredible pictures are coming out of Mumbai.
CNN reporters, for example, are eyewitnesses in many cases to a lot of this action. Take a look and a listen.
Now, we just spoke with Sara Sidner just a moment ago. That was Sara Sidner just a few hours ago as she was scrambling, literally scrambling to cover at the sound of gunfire. This, outside of her location at the Taj Hotel. And hours later, hostages, you'll see here, appearing unhurt as they were released from the Oberoi Hotel.
More pictures here also. Take a look of the pictures of the fire just billowing from the window of one of the rooms of one of the hotels there.
Again, we are nearly 24 hours into this siege, and some of the pictures as we look back and always push forward on this story. Our sister network, CNN International, is heavily involved in covering this ongoing siege.
Our Michael Holmes is joining us from the CNN International news room.
And Michael, if you would, let's spend a couple moments talking about Indian intelligence. As I've been watching the coverage on your network, on our network as well, I have not heard a lot of praise at all for Indian intelligence.
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN INTERNATIONAL: No. I mean, Tony, one thing that's interesting about these attacks is that they were, let's say, low tech. You've got a bunch of guys with AK-47s and hand grenades. That explosion I just heard when Sara was there was a grenade, I think.
HARRIS: Yes.
HOLMES: And this was a low-tech attack, but it was well coordinated. These guys hit different places, same time, obviously had a plan that took some time to organize.
The fact that Indian intelligence didn't pick up on it is really a disgrace. And in fact, one of the bosses of Indian intelligence ended up being a victim. How that happens is beyond me.
One of the problems in India, Tony, is -- and this is a constytitutional issue -- the states get the power to run their own intelligence services. So there is no national umbrella. So coordination between the services that do exist...
HARRIS: Getting one agency to talk to the other.
HOLMES: Absolutely. It's terrible. And -- no, this is not good for them. HARRIS: Yes. And I have to ask you, Michael, as someone who has visited this region, and particularly to India, does this represent an escalation, a major step up? Clearly, these are young men, and my understanding is that these are young men between the ages of 20 to 25 mostly. Is this a major escalation in the kind, the nature, the scope of the attacks that even India, sadly, has come -- become accustomed to?
HOLMES: It's certainly a change in the type of attacks. I mean, we've seen in the past, you know, bombs in cars. We've seen small bombs in rickshaws taken into marketplaces, that sort of thing.
HARRIS: Sure.
HOLMES: What this is, is probably more a case of trying to attack places where westerners are going to be. They can't attack embassies. It's too well protected these days.
HARRIS: Yes.
HOLMES: And so you have this soft target things going on where you can make massive impact.
HARRIS: so the economic, cultural and entertainment center of India?
HOLMES: I think more the financial center, because you're going to get a bunch of people at these hotels. I mean, the Taj is a beautiful hotel. I've been there.
It's actually 100 years old, it's historic. And the Oberoi as well. These are five-star hotels. And probably, they were targeted because you're going to get a lot of businessmen there, a lot of foreigners there.
HARRIS: That's right.
HOLMES: And that's where you're going to get your maximum exposure, you know, the bang for your buck, if you like, if you're a tourist.
HARRIS: Yes. OK, Michael. Appreciate it. We'll be coming back to you often. Thanks for your perspective on this.
Michael Holmes, CNN International.
CNN correspondent Andrew Stevens is outside the five-star Oberoi Hotel, where a major fire, we understand, is burning. He joins us on the phone.
And Andrew, if you would, describe the scene for us.
ANDREW STEVENS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, talk about a major fire, but from where we are being kept, this is the media (INAUDIBLE). I have seen it on local media around -- it's actually behind where we're standing. But it's certainly, compared with the fire in the Taj, about 15, 20 hours ago, it's not nearly the same sort of sight.
For example, there's no smoke around this building. There were flames leaping out last night at the Taj which indicated a major conflagration. That's not the case here.
What is happening here, though, this is very much the flash point. There are gunmen inside this hotel. There are an unknown number of guests, including an unknown number of hostages. The numbers are varying wildly.
They're trying to draw a consensus from talking to the people around here, both the authorities, and also gleaning information from other news sources. And some were saying there could be around about 30 guests and hostages in there at the moment.
The military is also inside. We're being told they're doing a sweep from the bottom up.
But from where I've standing, this is a perhaps 20-story building. I can see the side end, if you like, and I can see probably seven or eight windows with lights on in the window.
There are gunmen in there. We understand they're well provisioned. They have a lot of ammunition and a lot of weapons. So this is going to take, most people say, a long time to resolve.
We have heard various dull thuds. They sound like explosions from where we're standing. But as yet, we haven't seen any sort of breakthrough. We did see 10 unharmed hostages come out about five hours ago, but since then, nothing -- Tony.
HARRIS: Andrew Stevens.
And Andrew, when we get an opportunity to speak again, we would love for you to take us back in time 15, 20 hours. My understanding is that you were a guest at the Taj, and actually trying to get back to the hotel when the siege, the attacks began. But we'll discuss that the next time we get an opportunity to speak.
Andrew Stevens for us outside of the Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai.
New explosions. As we give you a quick recap, new explosions and gunfire in the economic center of India, Mumbai. The siege goes on. The latest information that we have is 125 people have been killed in 10 separate attacks on popular spots for westerners.
More after a quick break. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SONALI CHATTERJEE, CNN SALES DIRECTOR: One explosion practically knocked me off my feet, the first big one. And that's when I started getting calls there's an explosion on the roof. I was on a phone call and everything shook around me. So that was very, very scary. (END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Can you imagine? Fire, explosions and gun battles. It is day two of a terrorist siege on India's commercial capital, Mumbai.
Here is what we know. At least 125 people have been killed in 10 separate attacks on popular spots for westerners. At least 327 people are hurt, as many as 50 people being held hostage. President Bush is among a chorus of world leaders condemning the attacks. India's prime minister headed to Mumbai, promising to find and punish those responsible.
President-elect Barack Obama is watching the situation in India from his home in Chicago, where he and his family are celebrating Thanksgiving.
White House Correspondent Ed Henry is with the transition team.
And Ed, good morning to you.
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
HARRIS: What has been the reaction from the president-elect?
HENRY: Well, as you said, Tony, he was expecting to just be having a quiet day at his residence here in Chicago. Instead, late last night and all day today, he's getting updates from his national security staff trying to keep up to the situation up to the minute. And in fact, he's getting information from the very top of the Bush administration.
Secretary of State Condoleezza rice among the officials who brief Barack Obama last evening and pledged that the Bush administration would keep him and his staff in the loop during this crisis. It's a sign clearly of what we've been hearing in recent weeks about the financial crisis, where both Bush and Obama officials have been pledging cooperation, communication, trying to make sure that this U.S. transfer of power is as smooth as possible, largely for this very reason that we're seeing play out in India.
For a long time, White House officials have been saying, even before the election, they were quite concerned about some sort of international incident coming up, as it can. There was no way they could predict this one.
HARRIS: That's right.
HENRY: But any possible international incident, they wanted to make sure that there was no disruption, that the transfer of power went easily here, and make sure, also, that terror groups do not take advantage of the situation of the transfer of power and try to launch terror attacks on U.S. soil. There's no evidence that what is going on in India is going to spread to the United States, but nevertheless, both sides want to stay in the loop.
And in fact, a statement was put out by Barack Obama's chief national security spokeswoman, Brooke Anderson, denouncing these attacks and saying, "These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism. The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks. We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks."
So you see the Barack Obama transition team trying to walk a fine line here. They want to be engaged in this, but hey also are fully aware, you know, while they stay on top of it, that President Bush is still in charge. Barack Obama has not been sworn in yet. It's a very fine line -- Tony.
HARRIS: And Ed, let me sneak another quick one in here for you. This terror attack and the response by India, the ongoing efforts which you alluded to, to stabilize Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, all of this landing squarely on the president-elect's desk.
What kind of advice is the president-elect receiving on this region? For example, we know that President-elect Obama wants more troops in Afghanistan.
HENRY: Absolutely. And that's key to trying to stabilize the region, not just Afghanistan itself.
HARRIS: Sure.
HENRY: And you've been hearing a lot of our analysts like Peter Bergen saying this morning, you know, that this is not just about Afghanistan and Pakistan anymore. Now this is obviously -- this extremism is spreading to India. That makes South Asia much more volatile. And I think, obviously, what the first thing Barack Obama wants to do is take all this, not rush into anything -- again, he hasn't been sworn in again -- and take this step by step.
But as you know, this week has been all about economic security, rolling out his money team, if you will, here in Chicago. And he's going to be rolling out his national security team next week.
Obviously, all the horrific images we're seeing play out before our eyes right here on CNN, another stark reminder for this president- elect, as if he needed one, that national security is still at the top of the list as well. And there are a lot of national security challenges confronting him next January 20th -- Tony.
HARRIS: Ed Henry with the Barack Obama transition team in Chicago.
Ed, appreciate it. Thank you.
And for the Bush administration's reaction to events in Mumbai, we go to Brianna Keilar. She is at the White House.
And Brianna, I'm wondering, if you would, let's start with the reaction to the attacks. And then I'm curious as to whether or not the president has spoken with India's prime minister so far. BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He has spoken with India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, offering condolences, offering support and assistance to India, not only in restoring order, Tony, but also investigating exactly how these terror attacks occurred.
President Bush, of course, not here at the White House. He's at Camp David with family and friends for this Thanksgiving holiday. But of course, it's become a bit of a working holiday.
He is keeping an eye on the situation in Mumbai. He is getting regular updates on the situation there, according to the White House. And the White House says that last night, President Bush's top national security advisors, the National Security Council, they convened with a number of officials from the Bush administration, counterintelligence officials -- or pardon me, counterterrorism officials, intelligence officials, as well as officials from the State and Defense departments, to talk about the terrorist attack in India -- Tony.
HARRIS: Brianna, any reaction -- I want to change gears a bit here because this is a big story. Any White House reaction to the Iraqi government, the parliament allowing U.S. troops to stay in Iraq for three more years?
KEILAR: Yes, there is. President Bush put out a paper statement today basically saying that this is, of course, a good thing. But he credited the surge, as well as the courage of Iraqi citizens, for really paving the way and setting the conditions for the Iraqi parliament to come to this agreement, which has really been quite some time in the making.
He said he's looking forward to Iraq's Presidential council approving this, which, of course, is the last step. That's a three- member council, Tony, and basically it's a done deal, because this is expected to be ratified throughout that council.
HARRIS: Brianna Keilar for us at the White House.
Brianna, appreciate it. Thank you.
When we come back, we will talk with Chris Voss (ph). He has dealt with several difficult hostage situations when he was a lead international kidnapping negotiator for the FBI. We will get the latest from him on the Mumbai siege in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
YASMIN WONG, CNN EMPLOYEE, MUMBAI: There's smoke everywhere. And the only option I had was to run down this atrium, where I guess a lot of the gunfire had gone on. And I passed bodies and people with bullet wounds. And I guess an old man had passed out from the flames. It's just like something out of a movie. I don't think you ever imagine anything like that to happen. I guess the main thing is just I thought it was going to end, and it just never ended. (END VIDEO CLIP)
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: The latest on the terror attacks in India. Fire and thick smoke are threatening hostages at two hotels in Mumbai. Terrorists holdup there have been in gun battles, pitched gun battles with police for almost 24 hours now.
A few hours ago, ten hostages would out of the Oberoi Hotel. Indian authorities say ten to 12 terrorists and as many as 50 hostages remain inside the Oberoi and other targeted sites in all. Coordinated terror attacks at ten locations around Mumbai have left at least 125 people dead.
So why? Why did the terrorists hit Mumbai? And what do they hope to achieve by taking hostages? Chris Voss dealt with several difficult hostage situations when he was lead international kidnapping negotiator for the FBI. He joins us from Washington. Chris, good to see you. Thanks for your time this morning.
Thank you, Tony. My pleasure.
HARRIS: What is your take, Chris, on the work? I want your assessment of where we are now in this process of the authorities there on the ground in India trying to bring an end to this siege?
CHRIS VOSS, FMR. FBI INTL. KIDNAPPING NEGOTIATOR: Well, the authorities are walking a very fine line from acting appropriately and quickly and at the same time, not being sort of drawn in, into an addenda, a reactive mode that the terrorists expect, which then of course lets the terrorists - let this -- allow this to play out the way they'd like to, in a killing journey with a predetermined end.
Now the release of the hostages earlier is interesting because in most cases, a release of hostages is a good sign. But my assessment of this at this point is that the release of those hostages was more the terrorists managing the scene from the inside, trying to keep things under control so that they can continue on the agenda that they have in mind.
HARRIS: Too many hostages. Let's drop the number to some where that's a little bit more manageable. Is that what you're suggesting?
VOSS: Yes, yes, that can be it in many cases. They may have suggested hostages for release for a variety of reasons. Either they're difficult to manage, they represent a threat on the inside, or they may not be the high value hostages that they want to keep in order to make the point that they may be on they're way to trying to make.
HARRIS: All right, give me the benefit of your experience on this. What is going on now in terms of, well, to the extent that there is any negotiating going on at all? Do you believe there is? VOSS: Well, I hope that there is. We like to say in our world that we don't negotiate with terrorists, we negotiate against them. The terrorists have a very clear agenda here. And what you want to do is use negotiation as a means of communication to disrupt their agenda, to maybe get them to think of other possible alternatives. If they have political points that they're quite clearly are trying to make, maybe get them to see that the wrong kind of violence will diminish their standing in the world. Maybe they've calculated all these things out. They're probably intermediaries going back and forth, or they're searching for intermediaries to try to get some sort of dialogue going.
HARRIS: I'm curious as to what you think, what do you make of this overall, this massive attack that was carried out by teams in a very synchronized way, as opposed to other attacks which involved leaving explosives in - I'm sorry, Chris, if you'll hang on a second. The British foreign secretary is making a statement.
DAVID MILIBAND, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: ...in India is vibrant and because Mumbai is one of the world's most diverse cities. I've been in touch with our high commissioner in Delhi, who has now taken up command of the special command center in Mumbai at the British Council Library, where victims are able to come and prepare to come home to the U.K.
I'm pleased to say that our officials have been able to go around all the hospitals of Mumbai and identify British nationals there. The most terrible thing is that we do have one confirmed British fatality. Obviously, our hearts go out to the family of the victim. And we are determined to do all that we can to support those who are currently in hospital, whom there are a number, some of whom are in a very serious condition.
I think it's very important that I say that we are not going to speculate about numbers of people until we're absolutely sure the facts are clear. We're not going to join any rumor mongering. We want to make sure that any facts that come out of the foreign office are absolutely correct.
What I can tell you is that a special team combining foreign office officials, but also metropolitan police officials has just landed in Mumbai and will be doing everything possible to help the victims and to help the Indian police with their inquiries.
In addition, you'll know of the special phone number that's been established for people in the U.K., who are worried about their friends or relatives who are in Mumbai. About 1200 calls have come through to that number. And I'm pleased that we've been able to match a number of people up with their friends and relatives.
It's also important to emphasize that extra staff are being deployed into Mumbai from around India. And that's an important way in which we can help respond to what is an unprecedented attack on an Indian city.
I do want to pay tribute to the response and the efforts of the Indian authorities in responding to scenes that are taking place as we speak now. And this is a situation which, as you will all know, continues to develop literally by the minute. And we want to make sure that we give every support to the Indian authorities in responding to this terrible crisis.
I also want to add that in all of my talks yesterday with President Zudari of Pakistan and with Foreign Minister Kareshi, they emphasize very, very strongly their commitment to work with the Indian government to build economic, political and cultural ties between India and Pakistan, two great countries who should be able to work and trade and live together side by side.
I believe that the comments and leadership of Prime Minister Singh in India show that he is a man also of great statesmanship and great determination to build links between India and Pakistan and to stop those people who would seek to divide these countries.
We have a special interest in this country, in closer links between India and Pakistan because we have such large Indian and Pakistani communities, British citizens of Indian and Pakistani origin.
We know from our own country of the ability of those communities to work together. And I think it's very important the message goes out that we want India and Pakistan to find political, and cultural, and economic links there as well.
To conclude, all of the resources of the foreign office are now deployed to ensure that we give the most appropriate response in this unprecedented situation. The prime minister is leading our political response engaging around the world at prime ministerial level. I've spoken today to Secretary Rice to ensure that the work between our two countries goes forward. And I'll be speaking further in the next few hours or days with the European foreign ministers to make sure that there is a coordinated European response as well. Thanks very much indeed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Secretary, Tom Higgins (ph), Skye News. I would like to ask you (INAUDIBLE) the high commissioner did mention a figure of seven (INAUDIBLE) earlier today. I mean, are we talking tens, dozens?
The other thing I'd like to ask you, from what you've heard from your briefing, are we - are the British people affected? Are they British tourists or are they perhaps people who are in India on business?
And could you perhaps say a little bit more about the foreign office people and the metropolitan police officers who are going there, what sort of work exactly are they going to be doing to help the Indians?
MILLIBAND: Well, the number of injured has risen from the seven of this morning. And I think that's the best indication I can give you is that it's not running away from that number, but it's higher than seven. But I don't want to imply a false level of precision at what is a rapidly evolving situation.
I think that in respect to the fatality, I can confirm one fatality. And we will keep you updated as more information comes to light.
In respect to the work of the teams that have gone there, the most important function is obviously a consular function to identify all the British victims, to liaise with all of the victims, some of whom may still be trapped in the hotels, to also ensure on the police side that all expertise is offered to the Indian authorities to help track down any useful evidence in this respect.
Obviously, the Indian authorities are currently focused on battling out this situation in the hotels. And we're certainly not going to get in the way of that. But when it comes to the forensic and detective work afterwards, we certainly want to make sure that we're offering all possible help to them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are the casualties British casualties, tourists, or you're nodding?
MILIBAND: I'm nodding because I'm about to answer the point. The range of British people who visit India is of course very wide, tourists and business people and people visiting families. What we're talking about is people going about daily life. They're having dinner, they're out and about. And it is a random attack and indiscriminate attack. And so I think you'll find there are British people of all kinds, of all types, and pursuing both tourism and business that have been affected by this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) about the situation?
MILIBAND: Well, I don't want to say too much, but you'll know from the fact that there was -- one of the hostages on the "Today" program this morning, that there is the ability to make contact with hostages there. And there's an ability for them to make contact with us. Obviously, nothing I say must compromise their position. So I think the most important message that should go out is that we want to support the Indian authorities in every way possible in helping to bring the sieges to an end and also to support the British nationals who are there in what are potentially terrifying situations. I certainly don't want to say anything that will compromise their position.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)?
MILIBAND: I think anyone standing in the comfort of the foreign office in London who says that someone in a hotel under siege in Mumbai is safe would be fooling the British public. And I certainly don't want to say that.
What I do want to say is that the Indian authorities are making very significant efforts to secure the safety of all those who have been affecting, of all nationalities. And certainly, we want to work very, very closely with them to ensure that everything is done to ensure the security and safety and safe homecoming of these British nationals.
It's worth saying in respect to British nationals in Mumbai, who are trapped there or unable to get out, we will make sure that they're brought back to the U.K. at the cost of the foreign office and not to their cost. We're also making sure that anyone who has lost their passport in the melee immediately gets a new passport and new visa and doesn't suffer any delay in coming home.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
HARRIS: There you have the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband with the sad news to report that one British citizen has been killed in this siege in Mumbai. At least seven Britons injured.
We want to get you to the scene right now. And Sara Sidner is there.
And Sara, I just want to be clear, I believe you're still in front of the Taj Hotel. Is that correct? All right, and I see you there, Sara.
SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT AT TAJ HOTEL: That's correct, Tony. But also...
HARRIS: No, go ahead, go ahead.
SIDNER: No, no, I was just going to mention that we were talking and listening to the Britons talking about what has happened to their countrymen and women. We should mention there are six foreigners that have been killed, according to Indian authorities. A Japanese businessman as we're told, an Australian, and a Briton who are identified from their countries. The other three, we don't know where they're from.
And still a situation -- we had just had this conversation, a woman from Chicago, from the U.S., is inside this hotel. She is holed up in her room with her husband. She has two other family members who are next door to her, who are holed up in their rooms. She is using her cell phone. And we're contacting her and trying to talk to her a bit.
But she says she's not going anywhere because she feels like there is absolutely no reason to feel safe at this hour, even though at one point authorities were telling us things are dying down, it's over, it's over, don't worry. The truth of the matter is there is still a major situation going on here. There are still lots of movement going on here.
We're noticing that the smoke is still coming out of the window as well. So you still have this sort of burning hot spots inside of the Taj Hotel, which obviously, you know, if it's allowed to burn more, can cause more problems for those who were holed up in their hotel rooms. Then what do you do? Do you get out because there's too much smoke in your room and risk facing, you know, a gun, or facing one of the terrorists, or facing, you know...
HARRIS: Sure, sure.
SIDNER: ...shootouts happening? Or do you stay in your room and try to figure out some other way to get out, Tony?
HARRIS: Sara, if you would, just maybe have your - and maybe it's too dark to do that. But I'm just -- I would love for you to describe the scene. We're just about 25 - 24 hours since the attacks started. If you would, can you just describe the scene around you, the street around you? What kind of activity are you seeing?
SIDNER: There is quite a bit of activity. Again, there are people who are just here to sort of look and see, trying to figure out what's going on. They're still staring at the media. They're still staring at the Taj. And it tends to be, when the lights go on, there are several members of media out here, a few dozen members of media that have their lights on. And of course, that attracts crowds.
HARRIS: Yes.
SIDNER: Mumbai is a bustling city normally. It has, you know, 19 to 20 million people here. So when you talk about crowds, it's not, you know, a few dozen.
HARRIS: Sure.
SIDNER: It's usually in the hundreds. And they're all still here. Every now and then, the police move them out. But as far as what's going on inside of the hotel, again, the lights still out in almost every single room there. There is a big light sort of beaming from the outside into the right side, just over my shoulder of the Taj. And there is still activity going on.
HARRIS: Sure.
SIDNER: But we haven't heard in the last hour and a half any gunshots or any explosions. An hour and a half ago, there were ten gunshots that we could hear from this vantage point and one explosion, quite loud, that went off inside of the Taj.
HARRIS: Well, Sara there, and if I'm describing this incorrectly, correct me. There seems to be -- we're sort of static when it comes to information now. I'm wondering has there been any update from officials on the ground, from law enforcement officials? Have you received an update recently? When was the last one? Because we seem to be in a bit of a holding pattern. And that might be good news, that negotiations are moving forward.
SIDNER: Yes.
HARRIS: But what are you getting in terms of information?
SIDNER: I think it's just frustrating news, frankly, for a lot of people. Nobody really knows what's going on. Again, we still don't know the number of people inside the hotel, but we know there are a few for sure. We've talked to a couple of them. We do not know if there are still terrorists inside, but we have to sort of make the assumption that because there is still action going on in there, what sounds like explosions going off and gunfire, something is still happening inside the hotel. And there have been ambulances periodically going to the front of the hotel and then leaving.
So there's still action going on. But still, it's like a dead zone out here as far as information and trying to get the police or any of the army or any of the authorities to tell us anything new about what is happening inside of this hotel and also inside of the Oberoi Hotel as well. Tony?
HARRIS: You know, it is good you mentioned the lights and when the TV lights come on. Last question to you, you mentioned when the TV lights come on, the lights tend to draw a crowd. And we're looking at scenes from a few hours ago when your lights went up and there was a crowd. And the simple truth is that there are some people who are not altogether thrilled with the media presence covering this story. Is that correct?
SIDNER: Yes, that's correct. It really was more sort of a mob mentality, Tony, that happened there. It wasn't necessarily against the media. But they first sort of surrounded an Indian -- local Indian media journalist who was doing a live shot. And then they decided to come over and visit me. For a while it was okay. And then one person starts and the whole crowd gets rowdy.
But really, nothing to do with what's happening here. I mean, let's face it. The real story here is there are people who are terrified, who are locked in their rooms. There are people who are suffering because they've lost a family member. And that's the real story. And we don't want to get distracted by that.
Now Tony, I want to quickly tell you, because this just happened. I'm going to have my photographer Rajesh turn the camera on to the dome, just behind the dome, the largest dome here at the Taj. You know, this building is magnificent, but suddenly, we're now seeing orange - an orange glow. And that can only mean one thing at this point. There is fire again going on at the top of the Taj.
We cannot get a good vantage point exactly where that is, but it doesn't look good. There's quite a bit of what appears to be flames from this vantage point here just to the -- at the end of the Taj.
So again, now there is - this is the third fire that we've seen. There was one 10:00 last night...
HARRIS: Sure.
SIDNER: ...on the right dome, and lots of fire damage there. Then there was something that broke out. And now we've got a third, at least a third fire going on right now. And there are still people inside. So it is not a good situation.
HARRIS: No, I think it's very important. And thank you for bringing it back to what is absolutely most Important. And we were for a while certainly concerned about your safety. But obviously, you are fit and hardy and hail and on the job again. We're happy about that. But when was the last time you heard what you would describe as either gunshots or explosions?
SIDNER: About an hour and a half ago. And there were about a succession of about ten, what sounded like gunshots. And then there was a muffled sound, whether that was a grenade going off or some sort of flash thing that the army set off, we don't know. But you could hear sort of a muffled kind of explosion, not really, really loud. And then not too long before that, there was a huge explosion, a very loud bang that sort of jumped -- kept us sort of jumping. And we jumped out of the car and talked to you or called you on the phone.
HARRIS: Sure.
SIDNER: So the situation, obviously, it's still quite an active scene here in Mumbai.
HARRIS: I keep asking - I keep saying one final question, then I have another one. I'm just sort of curious. As I look at the shot behind you...
SIDNER: No problem, Tony.
HARRIS: ...you seem in my view, from my vantage point to be relatively close to the hotel. And there people between you and the hotel. And I'm wondering, this is a crime scene. I'm wondering about a perimeter. Is there a perimeter? And can you describe -- can you describe it for me?
SIDNER: Absolutely. It's a great question, Tony. I'm glad you asked it, because I forgot to talk about this. Basically, the perimeter keeps changing. We got very, very close at one point. And all the journalists sort of rushed up, because they figured, oh, I guess it's over. They're letting us get closer now.
And we all rushed in. And then, we just stood there. And then we were pushed back. And that's happened two our three times, where we rush sort of closer to the hotel and then we're pushed back.
The perimeter seems to be moving. It's a little odd. Politicians are coming sort of in and out of the area.
HARRIS: Yes.
SIDNER: It's a little unorganized, I guess you could say, sort of out here. And that's a note that we should make.
HARRIS: Yes.
SIDNER: But you can't get that close to the hotel.
HARRIS: Got you.
SIDNER: I mean, you certainly can't get close enough to see what's going on inside.
HARRIS: Sounds like the perimeter is as fluid as the situation on the ground there. Sara, thank you. Thanks for your time. And we're going to give you a bit of a break to do some news gathering for us. Sara Sidner, just out in front, as you can see, of the Taj Hotel for us.
We'll take a quick break. And we're back with more CNN NEWSROOM in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TIME STAMP: 1154:27
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Suddenly outside, I saw that the fire was very near our room and told us that, you know, we had to get out, that we had some fire problems, there were terrorist problems. And we took the risk and just went to the door. And when I opened the door, it was a lot of smoke, could barely see anything. I had to use a light on my phone to see anything. Found -- eventually found the exit and just ran.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: To India and another day of terror. New explosions and gunfire as the terrorist siege of Mumbai goes on. Here's what we know. At least 125 people -- 125 -- have been killed in ten separate attacks on popular spots for Westerners. At least 327 people are hurt. Reports indicate as many as 50 are being held hostage. President Bush is among a chorus of world leaders condemning the attacks. India's prime minister promises to find and punish those responsible.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MANMOHAN SINGH, INDIAN PRIME MINISTER: (INAUDIBLE) these individuals and organization and make sure that every perpetrator, organizer, and supporter of terror whatever is the situation (INAUDIBLE) bears a heavy price for these (INAUDIBLE) and horrific acts against our people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: All right, let's get to CNN International now and our Michael Holmes.
And Michael, I - we're in a bit of a news vacuum here. I was talking about it just a minute ago with Sara Sidner, just trying to get the latest information. Some kind of briefings from officials are not forthcoming. And -- but you have some additional information that -- and wires, that has just became available?
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, yes. Just something we got earlier. A couple things have just dropped here.
HARRIS: Yes.
HOLMES: At CNN. And one of them is that a French official is now being quoted, saying 15 Air France workers, flight crew actually, are among those trapped in the Oberoi. Now that's trapped.
Meanwhile, Indian officials have told Canadians that half a dozen Canadians, six, are being held hostage. Now that's at the Taj, we're told. So there's a couple of little snippets there. There's a lot still dropping, as you know. This thing is changing every day.
HARRIS: Yes.
HOLMES: Now one thing I was going to say, Tony.
HARRIS: Sure, sure.
HOLMES: My own experience in the field, some of these explosions, what we're saying are explosions, that we're hearing at the two hotels, there's also talk that there are commandos going through those hotels at the moment, that they're inside. These may or may not be grenades. They could be flash pans as well...
HARRIS: That's right.
HOLMES: ...or stun guns. It's just worth remembering that. Not every one of those bangs could be a grenade, a real grenade.
HARRIS: Yes, sure. Michael, thanks for your time. We know you have to go to get to work on your show. Michael Holmes, CNN International. Michael, we appreciate it. Thank you.
No Americans are among - are known to be among the 125 dead at least at this point, but some are definitely wounded. CNN's State Department correspondent Zain Verjee joining me now from New York.
And Zain, good to see you. Help us out on this story, if you would. What do we know about the injured at this point?
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, I just got off the phone with the State Department official, who says that the only thing that they know right now is that three Americans at least have been injured. It's unclear what circumstances that they were injured or whether their wounds are serious or minor injuries.
I'm also told that they're unsure whether there are only Americans being held hostage or any killed. So it's a fluid and difficult situation. And there are still a lot of question marks.
The U.S. is essentially relying on Indians officials to get their information. And a lot of it is conflicting. And they don't want to feed any kind of rumor mill. So everyone is being exceptionally careful.
On the ground, though, the U.S. Consulate is -- put out a notice to any Americans in Mumbai, advising them of the following. They're saying, look, monitor the local news. Take advice of the local news. Just be a lot more careful going out. Vary your route.
They're advising Americans also, if they see any packages, report them if they're suspicious.
Also, the U.S. says it stands ready to help and assist India. The Indians, we understand, have not officially made a request for help. The U.S. Consulate is open in Mumbai for emergency passports to be issued. If they've been lost in all of this and people need to travel.
So it's a difficult situation. And they're trying to figure this out.
One last thing is that they're telling Americans around the world, obviously, when you look at these pictures that they're making it really clear, don't travel for the next 48 to 72 hours. And if you need information, call this line. The number is 1-888 -- that's wrong on the screen. It's 1-888-404-4747.
HARRIS: OK. Hey, Zain very quickly, any requests from the American consulate there in Mumbai for additional resources, help, more people on the ground? We were just listening to the British foreign secretary Miliband. And he suggested that there are teams from Great Britain on the move right now?
VERJEE: I just asked that a few moments ago. And the State Department says, so far, no.
HARRIS: OK, Zain Verjee at the State Department for us. Zain, appreciate it. Thank you.
