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Terror in India; President Bush Monitoring Developments; Five Hostages Killed at Jewish Center in Mumbai
Aired November 28, 2008 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We can tell you it was just last hour that our Nic Robertson reported that there was an official with the Indian police who was holding something of a briefing. I know our international desk is working on that, and we're trying to get that turned around, if that, in fact, was what was going on at that time.
We are in contact with our sister network, CNN-IBN, and we will try to get that turned around so that we can get the very latest information on the situation at the Chabad Jewish Center. So we'll to work that, get the latest information on the Oberoi and, of course, Sara Sidner at the Taj Hotel.
And hello again, everybody. I'm Tony Harris on this Friday, November 28th. 12:00 noon in the eastern United States, 10:30 in the evening in Mumbai, India.
Here are the top stories in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: ... able to sustain long hours, and dealing with -- OK.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Journalists dodge grenades and gunfire as Indian commandos try to flush terrorists from a hotel. Commandos raid two other sites in Mumbai. The standoff with terrorists now 48 hours old.
Also today, two Americans are among those confirmed dead in the terror attacks, a Virginia father and his 13-year-old daughter.
The latest this hour on Mumbai's 48-hour-old terrorist nightmare. Here's what we know right now.
Police freed several hostages at the Oberoi Hotel. Hundreds of guests who had been hiding also finally getting out. Authorities have been searching for one terrorist inside the Taj Hotel.
We are also learning at least two Americans are among those killed, and five hostages have been found dead at the Jewish center. The two-day casualty count, at least 151 people killed, 327 injured.
We have CNN correspondents covering this very fluid story from all angles. Our Nic Robertson is at the Jewish center in Mumbai. Sara Sidner is at the Taj Hotel. We will also have live reports from London, Islamabad, New York, Washington, the White House and the State Department. Plus, Ed Henry in Chicago with reaction from the Obama camp.
At least two Americans are among those killed in the Mumbai attacks. Let's go now to the State Department and our correspondent there, Zain Verjee.
Zain, what's the latest?
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPT. CORRESPONDENT: Tony, the State Department has confirmed that those two Americans have been killed. CNN has also learned separately of the circumstances.
A father and a daughter were basically sitting at a restaurant in the Oberoi Hotel. They were found shot to death in the restaurant. The family is in touch with the U.S. consular in Mumbai, and their remains will be brought back to the United States. The family, we understand, a father and daughter, killed, both from Virginia -- Tony.
HARRIS: And Zain, if you would, give us a sense of the work that's going on right now at the State Department. I know there was a lot of activity there. I'm particularly interested in some of the back scenes, behind-the-scenes information you're getting as to the comings and goings and the work being done now by the secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice.
VERJEE: Well, Secretary Rice is at Camp David. She's keeping President Bush posted. She's been basically working the phones, Tony.
We understand that she's just recently spoke to the Pakistani president. She's been in touch with British officials, with Pakistan's foreign minister, India's foreign minister, as well as India's ambassador to the United States.
We're also told that she's spoken six times in the last 36 hours to Mumbai's consular general, just really trying to stay on top of the situation, get information. She's also spoken twice on the phone to President-elect Obama, keeping him in the loop as well.
This is a critically important story for the United States. What's happening now will have major consequences not only for this administration, but the India/Pakistan situation may really heat up and land with a big thud on President Obama's desk come January 20th.
HARRIS: Our State Department Correspondent Zain Verjee.
Zain, thank you.
Those who escaped the carnage have nightmarish stories to tell. Our Matthew Chance talked with terror victims at a hospital in Mumbai. It's a CNN exclusive.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They're the survivors of Mumbai's appalling attacks, scarred by gunshots and shrapnel wounds in the violence that's gripped India's financial heart. Some only escaped death by a whisker, like 40-year-old Ramesh (ph), who showed the bullet hole in his shoulder, inflicted when gunmen burst into the hotel restaurant where he was eating with his boss.
My boss died on the spot. So he was sitting hiding, so I saw this wasn't coming (INAUDIBLE). So he was using the BlackBerry. I pulled the BlackBerry like this and I covered him like this. So I got here on the -- here, on the...
CHANCE (on camera): You got shot in the shoulder?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the shoulder. Yes, that's right.
And he asked me, "Are you all right?" I go, "Yes, I'm fine." The second shot came to him, and the third, it came and just went like this.
CHANCE (voice-over): We were granted exclusive access to Mumbai's Sir J.J. Hospital, where most of the injured from the past few days have been treated.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the belt of one of the policemen...
CHANCE: One doctor shows me a twisted belt buckle he says stopped a terrorist's bullet, saving the life of the policeman who was wearing it.
(on camera): All of these injured have incredible stories of survival to tell. Many have lost friends and loved ones in the Mumbai attacks. And they may not even be the last casualties to come out of this mess. This city's nightmare is far from over.
(voice-over): For some, like this 13-year-old boy, the nightmare may never end. He's nursing wounds from a grenade blast that ripped through one of Mumbai's residential zones. He wants to leave hospital soon, he told me, and go home. But doctors here say they don't have the heart to tell him that most of his family, his mom, his dad, his uncle and cousins, were killed in the attack. It is another shattered life in a city now filled with tragedy.
Matthew Chance, CNN, Mumbai.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: CNN's Sara Sidner has been reporting from the edge of this ongoing drama for the past two days. Here are some of the most compelling pictures from Mumbai.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIDNER: ... might need to keep themselves able to sustain long hours, and in dealing with -- OK. All right.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HARRIS: And as you can see, a very tense and extremely dangerous -- can you imagine this, this dangerous situation at the luxury Taj Mahal Hotel?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a multidimensional ambush, in a sense, of where the terrorists may have been, shattered as well. This is a multidimensional...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: And this is a video shot by our sister network in India, CNN-IBN. It captures one of this morning's explosions at the Taj Mahal Hotel.
And this video also comes from CNN-IBN, commandos firing on the Chabad House, where gunmen had held several people and where five hostages lost their lives.
Speaking of the Chabad House in that story we've been following for you at the Jewish center in Mumbai, the headquarters for this organization is in Crown Heights, the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. A news conference is scheduled for 12:30, just a couple of minutes away, about 25 minutes from now, from Crown Heights. We will, of course, bring you that news conference live right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
In the meantime, President Bush at Camp David, getting updates on developments in Mumbai. The administration offered support and, of course, assistance to the government of India.
Brianna Keilar joining us live from the White House -- Brianna.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Tony, the White House making it clear that President Bush is keeping a diligent eye on the developments in India. And according to White House Press Secretary Dana Perino, President Bush, he is at Camp David, where he spent the Thanksgiving holiday yesterday. He received his normal intelligence briefing today.
And actually, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is at Camp David as well. She was there yesterday for the Thanksgiving holiday. And so she is there in person giving President Bush regular updates on the developments in India.
But the official word at this hour, as you've heard, the FBI, of course, has a legal attache office in New Delhi, and that office is working with representatives from the State Department who are there in the region to monitor the situation. And shortly after these terrorist attacks, these coordinated terrorist attacks happened two days ago, the president's top national security advisers, the National Security Council, they convened with other representatives from the administration -- counterterrorism officials, intelligence officials, officials from the State Department and the Defense Department. They met again yesterday. Also yesterday, President Bush spoke with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. So an open line of communication between the White House and between Prime Minister Singh there -- Tony.
HARRIS: All right. Brianna Keilar for us at the White House.
Brianna, thank you very much.
Just another reminder. In about 20 minutes, we are anticipating a news conference from Chabad. And we have been, of course, following the story of the horrible tragedy at the Chabad House in Mumbai. A rabbi, his wife, two small children and a housekeeper killed in the siege, the attack there.
Again, that news conference scheduled for 12:30 p.m. And, of course, we will bring it to you right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We retaliated, fired back at the terrorists. The moment th3ey saw us with weapons, they hurled grenades at us. Fortunately, we could take cover and were unhurt.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: OK. An update now on the terror attacks in Mumbai, India. Here's what we know right now.
A tragic turn in the siege at the Jewish center. Five hostages, including a rabbi and his wife, have been killed. That raises the confirmed death toll in the wave of attacks to 151. Two Americans are among the dead.
Explosions and gunfire continue today at the luxury Taj Mahal Hotel. Police have been searching for one terrorist believed still holed up inside. Authorities have cleared the Oberoi Hotel, freeing hundreds of trapped guests and the remaining hostages.
As we mentioned just a moment ago, a rabbi and his wife among the five hostages killed in the siege at the Jewish center in Mumbai. Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson joins us by phone from the center, where the situation may be drawing to a close.
I don't want to get ahead of the story though, Nic. For people just joining our coverage, take a moment here, tell us what you know.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, just as dusk was beginning to fall this afternoon, there seemed to be an intensity of Indian commando activity. They've been dropped from helicopters by rope onto the roof of the Chabad House, the Jewish center, earlier in the day.
We had seen them on the roof. There had been exchanges of gunfire, explosions. Those exchanges intensified. There was a big explosion shortly before dusk.
We had seen commandos pulling heavy equipment to the roof of the building by rope. And eyewitnesses tell us that the commandos repelled down the side of the building by rope and went into the building, through the hole that they had blown in the wall.
It was shortly after that that we had learned that the young rabbi, his young wife, two young children and housekeeper had been found dead. They were the hostages taken by the attacker.
There was celebration on the streets at that time before the local residents knew the details of what had happened in the house. They thought the commandos had successfully stormed the building, they were happy that the Indian security forces had done a good job.
Later, the atmosphere became much more muted when they realized that the rabbi and his family were dead. The police came out on to the streets and warned people to get back in their houses, the situation wasn't over.
There were more exchanges of gunfire, more explosions, but it does appear now that the situation is over. The police chief came out, and while he was speaking at one end of the street, we saw at the other end of the street a police vehicle leaving with a couple police officers in it. And in that vehicle, one body covered in a shroud, possibly the body of the attacker in the building. That's not clear.
But there have been no shots or explosions in the past well over an hour or so now -- Tony.
HARRIS: OK. Our Nic Robertson for us from the Jewish center.
And just another reminder that Chabad is scheduling a news conference from its headquarters in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. That is scheduled for about 15 minutes from now, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time. And we will, of course, bring that to you live when it begins.
As you can imagine, we have been getting plenty of iReports from Mumbai. Our Veronica De La Cruz will be sharing some pretty dramatic stories and pictures. That's next.
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALOK VAJPEYI, MUMBAI SURVIVOR: As we walking, and some crawling, through the restaurant, I looked to the left. The door was open and there was -- I presume it's a dead body, because the man had blood on his white shirt. And then he was lying down (ph). That is when I understood that this is more serious than it possibly could be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Forty-eight hours of terror in Mumbai. Here's what we know right now. The State Department says two Americans are among the dead in the Mumbai terror attacks. They are identified as Alan Scherr and his daughter Naomi. They are from Virginia.
Police say they have cleared the Oberoi Hotel of terrorists. Hostages there freed. The situation this hour at the Taj Hotel, less clear. Police have been searching for one terrorist holed up inside the cavernous building.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry says five hostages have been killed at a Jewish center. Two of the dead are a rabbi and his wife. Overall, at least 160 people now have been killed in the two-day siege.
Minutes after the attack on Mumbai, citizen journalists mobilized to establish another line of communication and information on this story in real time.
Veronica De La Cruz has been online this morning, and she joins us now with more -- Veronica.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Tony. You know, from Twitter, to the blogs, to pictures posted on Flickr, new media has been inundated with information regarding Mumbai.
Tony, I want to go ahead and show you an articled posted to CNN.com right now. It's called "Tweeting the Terror." And it basically says that Twitter, with its more than six million users worldwide, was slammed with people sending out a message, or a tweet, every five seconds, Tony.
One Twitter user called Naomi (ph) says, "Mumbai is not a city under attack, it is a social media experiment in action."
And of course, the blogs have been busy with information as well. A group of bloggers changed their metro blog to this -- this is called "Mumbai Help," and it's logging (ph) the contact numbers for various embassies, as well as a list of the missing and the dead.
One of the bloggers, Peter Griffin, says in the past 24 hours they've received more than 14,000 visitors to the site, including 9,000 unique users.
Also, our iReporters have been sending in their images. This is a picture sent into us by Vineet Pandit, who is a 22-year-old student living in Mumbai. He sent us this image of commandos there dressed in blue outside of the trident Hotel.
Vineet writes, "We are not going to live our lives in fear because of these people. We are a city of millions. Why should we let them scare us? They just want attention."
Tony, we've also been asking people to share information with us via Facebook.
You can do the same. Search Veronica De La Cruz and the CNN NEWSROOM with Tony Harris. And of course, you can also follow me at Twitter at VeronicaDLCruz -- Tony.
HARRIS: All right, ,Veronica. Thank you much for that.
Very quickly now, let's get back to our State Department correspondent. That, of course, is Zain Verjee.
And Zain, I don't know that we can focus enough attention right now on the situation, the relationship here between India and Pakistan. And let's put the United States in that mix as well.
VERJEE: Well, this story will have a major impact, a major consequence for the United States. India/Pakistan relations have been improving over the years. There have been a lot of positive developments. This is something that could ruin that, sour relations, and explode a very dangerous situation between the two countries. They are nuclear arms countries and they've been fighting over the Kashmir region.
Now, what the U.S. has been trying to do is focus on the war on terror. To do that, they need Pakistan. They need the Pakistani military to focus on rooting out terrorists, on the Waziristan area, and just focusing on cracking down on them. And not focusing on India, because that's traditionally what the Pakistani army has done. And if the India/Pakistan situation starts to escalate, the U.S. isn't going to be able to push the Pakistanis to focus on the war on terror. So that's the danger.
HARRIS: And it's interesting. You mentioned that relations have been improving recently between India and Pakistan. One might surmise that perhaps this attack was an attempt to try to scuttle that relationship, to draw new tensions into that relationship at this very critical time when the signs are encouraging.
VERJEE: I think that's a pretty good assessment, Tony. You have militant groups that make -- clearly, one of the motives is to undermine the situation.
HARRIS: Yes.
VERJEE: The governments are reaching out, and they want to create this wedge to spill over into the region. This is a big challenge for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice right now. This seems to have an Indian component and a very likely Pakistan component.
This means the U.S., Secretary Rice, has to work right now with both countries, and in a way that doesn't threaten the other. India is a strong U.S. ally. Pakistan is a key U.S. ally to fight the war on terror. So Rice really has this very, very delicate balancing act right now, and she also needs to set it up for the next secretary of state...
HARRIS: Sure.
VERJEE: ... who is also going to be preparing to handle this without missing a beat. This has major consequences for the U.S., and it puts intractable, difficult and dangerous Kashmir issue potentially front and center.
HARRIS: Oh, there you go. And it has to be a bit encouraging at the moment that, as India looks to Pakistan as possibly being at least one port of where this plot may have originated, in Karachi, it is encouraging, isn't it, that at least at this moment, India is reaching out to Pakistan and asking for help and intelligence sharing?
VERJEE: Well, that is an encouraging sign, to an extent. But what is more discouraging and more worrisome is that the Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, has come out and talked about outside forces being involved -- We're going to take action. There's going to be costs to our neighbor. He doesn't say "Pakistan," but everyone watching TV back in Pakistan knew exactly what he was talking about.
Also, Tony, elections are coming up in India.
HARRIS: That's right.
VERJEE: And the opposition parties have really criticized this congress party for being very lax on terrorism. And the public is going to also put a huge amount of pressure for some kind of response. So if India comes out and blames Pakistan, then they're going to have to do something.
HARRIS: OK. Our State Department -- boy, this is complicated -- our State Department Correspondent Zain Verjee for us.
Zain, appreciate it, again. Thank you.
We want to take you back to Mumbai now and we want to connect with Sara Sidner, who I believe is available. It's been sort of his or miss, and Sara has been moving all over trying to gather the latest information. There she is.
Sara, if you would, we talked to you just a short time ago, and there were indications that perhaps the siege there was over, had come to a conclusion. And then just moments later, there was another explosion of some kind. What's the very latest?
SIDNER: The situation has changed yet again, I guess you could say. We saw a busload of what appeared to be commandos, certainly military personnel, covered in their flak jackets, looked like they were heading towards the hotel. We heard several of what sounded like shots from inside the hotel again. And so the situation still ongoing, still an active scene. And there has been no indication -- actually, now we've heard two more shots that have just gone off inside this hotel.
So this is still going on. And like you said, we're into day three now, but what is also going on is that we are not getting any information about possible hostages or guests that may still be inside that hotel. We do not know the number of people, the number of innocent victims that may still be inside that hotel holed up, hoping to escape safely very, very soon -- Tony.
HARRIS: OK. Sara Sidner for us. Sara, appreciate it. Thank you for that latest update.
As we've been mentioning throughout the morning and the early afternoon hours here, five hostages have been killed in the standoff at the Chabad Jewish center in Mumbai, including a rabbi and his wife. A live picture now. Chabad is holding a news conference from its headquarters in Crown Heights Brooklyn. We will take you there live when that news conference begins.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID JACOBS, WITNESS: I was in my room. I heard a CV (ph), some loud explosions. I thought it might have been construction to start with. I then started to think it wasn't. I then had a look over the atrium. It was clear to me that this was a terrorist attack. I went back inside my room and barricaded the door.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: And, once again, live pictures now of the Chabad news conference at the location. The news conference scheduled to get underway any moment now in Brooklyn, New York. And the news conference being held just next door to the organization's headquarters. We're expecting to hear from the Rabbi Yahod Aquinski (ph). Again, that news conference scheduled to begin any moment. When it does, we will take you there live.
And here is what we know right now about the second day of the terror standoff in India. The death toll is now up to 160. Two Americans were among the dead in the Mumbai terror attacks. Alan Scherr and his daughter, Naomi were from Virginia. A Brooklyn rabbi and his wife were among five people killed at a Jewish center in Mumbai.
Indian commandos have ended the standoff there. They've also taken control of the Oberoi Hotel. Relieved hostages poured out of the building today. The situation at the Taj Hotel remains unclear. Police have said they believe that at least one terrorist remains inside the building. The attacks were already taking a bite out of Mumbai's efforts to become a world financial center. Susan Lisovicz is at the New York Stock Exchange with more on the fallout, both for the city and the country.
Susan.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony.
Well, India's economy has boomed in recent years, but the events of the last 48 hours are quickly tarnishing its efforts to become an international finance capital. One expert went so far as to say the world is beginning to get the impression that there's no control in the country. And if investors pull out and tourists stop going in, obviously, that could deal a serious blow to India's image. More importantly, it's economy -- Tony. HARRIS: You know, Susan, what are analysts saying about the long- term fallout of these attacks?
LISOVICZ: Well, Mumbai can look to right here in New York City, if it needs any inspiration, despite the grim economic conditions at the moment. The big apple actually bounced back pretty quickly after the September 11th attacks. Both the city's financial and real estate markets were able to stage impressive rebounds. Additionally, India faces little competition in its region with few rivals in the southern Asian area.
Now let's turn to the situation here in the U.S. The market closes at 1:00, three hours early, for a shortened session. The Dow Industrial could make it five sessions in a row of gains. That's something we just don't see very often these days. The Nasdaq composite, meanwhile, is down 12 points, or about 1 percent.
Of course, today is Black Friday. So we should mention that. Well, retail shares are mixed across the board. More importantly, there's -- hopefully there's a lot of traffic in the stores is what retailers are hoping for.
Tony, back to you.
HARRIS: All right, Susan, appreciate it. Thank you.
The economic indicator to watch today, as Susan just mentioned, bargain hunting on Black Friday. Senior correspondent Allan Chernoff is at the Rockaway Town Square Mall in Rockaway Township, New Jersey.
Allan, a lot of traffic behind you. That's a good sign for retailers.
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No question. It's been a very busy day here at the Rockaway Town Square Mall and it has been since 5:00 in the morning. There were even several hundred shoppers as early as 4:00 in the morning over at JCPenney. They've been brought here, not only by tradition, shopping the day after Thanksgiving, but also by the deals. One company after another offering bargains. Twenty percent, thirty percent off. In some cases, two for one sale.
The retailers know they cannot afford to wait until a few days before Christmas to offer deep discounts, as they often do. This year, they've got to hit those discounts hard to get the shoppers here. They're here today. The real question is, what happens over the next few weeks? There's almost no doubt this is going to be a very tough holiday season. Obviously, the economy here is not in good shape at all. Retailers recognize it.
Now, let's put it all in perspective, Tony. You know, we've been moaning about the economy being so tough here. But when you hear about those tragic events in India, my goodness, that really puts everything in perspective. Suddenly our economic troubles don't seem quite that bad.
Tony. HARRIS: Well said. Allan, appreciate it. Thank you. Good stuff.
You know, a poor showing on this Black Friday may mean bankruptcy blues for some struggling retailers. CNN's Christine Romans joins me now from the New York business desk.
And, Christine, an awful lot of retailers need a big shopping season. But, you know what, we may not spend as much as years' past?
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We probably won't. I mean all of the surveys are showing that, Tony. Some surveys are showing that adults are going to cut back on what they give each other to make sure their kids can have as much as they had last year. And other surveys at Gallup Poll showing that people are going to spend about, I thin, $616 per person.
And that's less than -- quite a bit less than last year. And it's very rare to have people pull back on how much they spend at the malls. Americans spend more every year than they did the year before. But October consumer spending was down 1 percent and that's sort of setting the mood for what we're expecting to see into the end of the year.
Now retailer are cutting costs and cutting prices and doing all these door-busters and all this stuff to try to get you in. But what I'm about to tell you is something that I don't think they want me to tell you. And that is, a lot of the experts are saying, it's better maybe just to wait. The closer you get to the end of the year, the more desperate they're going to be, these retailers, and they're going to be continuing to cut costs and have more kinds of specials and the like.
Christmas is on a Thursday. A lot of the retailers experts are saying maybe the weekend before Christmas and the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday are when you're going to see the really, really big discounts. Some experts tell me there's no reason to pay for shipping online. No reason at all. Just keep waiting. You're going to see some e-mail specials and the like. They're going to be good deals for people out there who are in the right position, who don't have a lot of debt, who still have their jobs, who are not in foreclosure. Those are millions of American. They're going to be in a good position.
Buy what you need. Don't buy what you don't need. Don't go for the impulse stuff. It's time to get rational. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling has some advice too for the season, Tony. And they say, you know, hunt for bargains. Spread out your purchasing, which is pretty important because, you know, the sales are going to change.
Buy only what you need. Come on. Avoid piling on the debt. We've been saying, this is what got us into this whole mess. And avoid gift cards. Some of these retailers are in bankruptcy. Sometimes you don't get every penny on the dollar of your gift card when a company's in bankruptcy. Also, you know, a quarter of these gift cards never get redeemed. So whoever you're giving them to, they're not going to use them in some cases anyway. So just -- it's just time to get back to a more rational situation. Not good for the retailers, but, gosh, it could be good for some folks out there. Just, you know, don't pile on the debt and buy what you need.
HARRIS: You've got to take care of your personal economy. Come on.
ROMANS: Absolutely. That's what I say. Yes.
HARRIS: Yes. All right, Christine, appreciate it. Thank you.
And then there's this story. In New York, a Wal-Mart on Long Island. Police say a Wal-Mart employee died after a crowd broke through the doors and trampled him just as the store opened at 5:00 this morning. While Wal-Mart has not confirmed the stampede took place, it does say a medical emergency caused it to close the store. A pregnant woman and three other shoppers were slightly injured and taken to the hospital.
And, once again, live pictures now. We are waiting the start of a news conference by Chabad. We will, of course, be getting reactions to the deaths of five hostages killed in that standoff at the Chabad Jewish Center in Mumbai. We will take you there for this news conference when it begins.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PATRICIA SCOTT, AMERICAN SURVIVOR: We came down the floor with an Australian man and a South African man and a Chinese man and the two of us as Americans. And it was dark. And in was blood all over the steps. Thank God they took the bodies away because it would have been so hard. Everybody grabbed hands. And it was a woman's heal. And there was standing there and you know that people died before as we're walking out. So we are so grateful that the passage of India tour group came through and helped us every hour. Every step of the way. But the commandos were so powerful. We felt so protected. They did such a phenomenal job.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Once again, live pictures now in Brooklyn, New York. We are standing by for a news conference from Chabad. That news conference scheduled to begin any moment now. We are expected to get reaction to the news out of Mumbai that a Brooklyn rabbi and his wife were among five people killed at the Chabad, a Jewish center in Mumbai. When that news conference begins, we will, of course, take you to Brooklyn live.
Here is what we know right now about the two-day terror standoff in India. The number of dead now stands at 160 and is expected to go higher. Two Americans are among the dead in the Mumbai terror attacks. Alan Scherr and his daughter, Naomi, were from Virginia. A Brooklyn rabbi and his wife, also among five people killed at a Jewish center in Mumbai. Indian commandos have end the standoff there. They've also taken control of the Oberoi Hotel. Relieved hostages poured out of the building today. The terror standoff at the Taj Hotel, well, that remains unclear, even at this hour. Police believe said they believe at least one terrorist remains inside the building.
One of the men who narrowly escaped the terrorist hold on the Taj Hotel was Vancouver businessman Jonathan Ehrlich. Jonathan Ehrlich joins me now, as you can see, safe and sound, from Vancouver.
Jonathan, what an unbelievable story. I've been reading through your notes of your letter. My goodness. You describe what you call a series of life-saving decisions. Tell us about that first life-saving decision.
JONATHAN EHRLICH, TAJ HOTEL SURVIVOR: Well, after having dinner in the Oberoi lobby, I went upstairs to my room and received a text from my colleague, Alex Chamberlain (ph), who was actually in the Oberoi lobby way a friend having a drink. He invited me to come down and have a drink with him. And I thought about it but I had a flight to Delhi the next morning, so I decided to take a pass and just go to sleep. And as it turns out, obviously, the terrorists came in to the lobby.
They actually took Alex and his friend hostage and were marching them up to the roof when Alex actually escaped. Alex fled and hid on one of the floors. His friend is actually still in the Oberoi and I haven't heard the status of him.
So that was that lucky decision, number one. Lucky decision number two was, so after Alex texted me and I went to bed, I fell asleep relatively quickly. I was a bit jet lagged.
And about an hour later, there was a knock at my door and then the doorbell rang and I thought to myself, who could this be? I mean the only person I really knew in the hotel was Alex. And I knew he was in the bar. And there's no way it was the hotel staff this late with the turndown service. So I stayed in bed and then didn't get up, didn't say a word. And then five minutes later, that chaos started and the bombs wept off.
And I learned a couple hours later at the airport that the terrorists had first gone to reception and got the photocopies of people's passports and were looking for westerners in their rooms. And Ehrlich with an e in room 1820 I'm assuming was one of their first stops. So I didn't get out of bed and I'm still here.
HARRIS: Jonathan, how harrowing. If you would, describe the trip from getting from your floor, I believe it was the 18th floor.
EHRLICH: That's right.
HARRIS: Into the lobby. Describe that for us. EHRLICH: Well, I mean, the first bomb went off and I got out of bed and I wasn't really sure what was going on. So I went to the window. And justify as I got to the window, a huge puff of gray smoke was coming up towards me. And I knew something was wrong. And I started to make my way out into the hotel floor. And another bomb went off.
And this time I knew for sure something was really bad. I knew it was an attack. The whole hotel shook. And so I quickly went into the hall and I heard them say bomb. And as soon as I heard those words, it was like an explosion in my chest. It took me by -- took me hold and adrenaline just started to pump through my body. I went back into my room. I threw my clothes into my a bag. I ran out into the hallway.
I ran down 18 flights of stairs as fast as I've ever run anything in my whole life. And on the way down I actually called a colleague of mine to get me on a flight out. I got to the lobby. And when I got to the lobby there -- I was sort of on the inside of the lobby and there was a whole bunch of people sort of milling around. And I couldn't understand why people were just sitting there. There was no hotel staff. No security. No police. And I honestly felt like a sitting duck.
So I made my way from sort of the bowels of the hotel into the lobby. I took a couple of steps with another woman. And I saw, you know, blood on the floor and broken glass and, again, that was not the place you wanted to be.
So I turned around. Went back into sort of the bowels of the hotel. People were just standing there and I said, guys, we've got to get out of there. And I just went to the exit. Ran to the basement. Ran out into the alley. And when I got to the alley, there was still no one there. It was probably 100 yards on either side before I saw people.
I saw a couple of security guards who then saw me. They were screaming at me to run. And I ran towards them and I came out and, I don't know if you've ever been to India, but I basically rounded the corner and then all of a sudden the massive sort of Indian people were there. There must have been 1,000 people on the street. And I just started screaming, "airport, airport." And one of the guys from the hotel, must have been a cook or something, basically grabbed me and my bag and threw me into a taxi and off I went to the airport.
HARRIS: Jonathan, now that you've had an opportunity to grasp the full scope and scale of this, what are your thoughts on just how fortunate you are to be here now?
EHRLICH: Well, you know, I was the luckiest man on earth before. And now I'm the double luckiest man on earth. I've been blessed since the day I was born with great family and great friends and fantastic kids and the best wife on earth. Today I feel incredibly lucky.
But you know what else, I feel very, very bad for the people in India. And if I could give one message to your audience, that they should go to their travel agent today and buy a ticket to Mumbai. These are incredible people who deserve our support. The people who did this have no soul. It doesn't matter whether you're Indian, whether you're Thai, whether you're Jewish, Christian, it doesn't matter. They just kill you because you represent everything that is good. So, please go. Please go. They need your support.
HARRIS: And you absolutely believe, and I read this in your note, that as to the character of these terrorists, that if you were there with your family, with your children, they would have shot you dead?
EHRLICH: There is no doubt. They do not discriminate. They don't care. This isn't rational. This is pure unadulterated evil. And if I was standing there -- first of all, I'm Jewish. And if they knew I was Jewish, I'd be dead. But if I was carrying my children or if I was walking with an elderly person, they don't care. It doesn't matter. They would have shot me dead. There is no remorse in theirs heart.
This is an evil ideology that is unfortunately indiscriminate. It does not matter. It does not matter whether you're on the left, on the right, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you were there and you looked American. And that means you were dead.
HARRIS: One other quick question, Jonathan. I know you're aware of the story of the Brooklyn rabbi and members, we believe, of his family who were killed at the Jewish Center there in Mumbai. And you just mentioned that you're Jewish. I wonder how it feels to be part of a group that was purposely targeted by these attackers, these terrorists?
EHRLICH: You know, there are a billion people in India and there are 10,000 Jews. It's kind of funny how they just manage to focus on the 10,000 Jews. Look, the sad truth of it is, is that, you know, Jews are a target everywhere because of who they are. That's been the way, for us, for a very long time, sadly.
And I certainly feel with -- feel terrible for the family. I feel very bad for the Jewish community at large. But we're tough. We can take it. And it's not going to change our behavior whatsoever. I can't wait for all the Israelis to buy their tickets. I'm sure they're doing that today to the many people out there who support Israeli and support the Jewish people, I'm sure they're all planning on buying their tickets. Or at least I hope so. We're going to pick ourselves up, clean ourselves off and go about our business because there's no way these guys are going to win. They just simply won't.
HARRIS: We are so happy for you. We are so happy for you and your family.
EHRLICH: Thank you.
HARRIS: Jonathan, thanks for taking the time to talk to us.
EHRLICH: Thank you. It's a pleasure. Thank you very much.
HARRIS: All right. Now let's take you to Brooklyn where I believe the news conference is underway. Chabad is speaking on the tragedy in Mumbai.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As a dispenser blend of gracious open heartedness to the local Jewish community and to thousands of tourists and business people who frequented Mumbai. The Holtzberg's toddler son, Moishe, who was heroically rescued from the hell by his nanny, Sandra, will mark his second birthday tomorrow, Saturday, November 29th.
Today he became an orphan. Without a dad and mom to lovingly embrace him and celebrate with him. The world of Lubavitch and our emissaries will adopt this beautiful young toddler and assure him of the best possible upbringing into adulthood.
The outpouring of love and prayer from all around the globe and from all quarters of society during this trying time was heartening and supportive. It is a tribute to the selfless life the young couple lived on their own. And in their memory, let us channel this unity into our own homes and communities, living our lives as they lived theirs -- their short but productive life.
As the Shabbat approaches, we call upon Jewish women and girls to brighten the profound darkness the world is witnessing and usher in the Shabat by lighting the traditional Shabat candles 18 minutes before sunset. I am certain that this would be Gabi's (ph) and Ripka's (ph) wish.
A word to our emissaries around the world. You know how to face adversity and challenges. You've been doing it all these years. Keep strong and continue to forge ahead with courage and fortitude in the service of our people and mankind to make this world a better place to live for all.
Thank you.
COMM RAY KELLY, NYPD: Thank you, Rabbi Krensky (ph).
I want to express my condolences on the death of Rabbi Holtzberg and his wife, who were both so close to this community. It is a reminder to all of us just how connected we are. When an act of terrorism happens halfway around the world, as it impacts on our community, on our city.
And, of course, New York City is no stranger to terrorism. And that's why we devote significant resources, both here and abroad, to do everything we can to keep this city safe. We monitor world events on a daily basis and make adjustments accordingly on how we police this city. And that, of course, includes or transit system, our financial services district. It includes landmarks and all of our neighborhoods.
So this is indeed a very sad day for this community and those who knew Rabbi Holzberg and his family. But I assure you that here in New York City we are resolved to be vigilant and we are resolved to continue to do everything that we can do to protect this city.
Again, thank you Rabbi Krensky for inviting me. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any questions for Rabbi Krensky?
HARRIS: All right. And, once again, reaction now to the horrible story out of the Jewish center in Mumbai of the death of a Brooklyn rabbi, his wife. A young baby now essentially an orphan. And the call from the Rabbi Krensky (ph) for help in taking care of that young child. You heard the comments from the New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. More on this news conference and more on the response and the tremendous outpouring that we are getting signs coming to that center, to that organization, in the next hour of CNN NEWSROOM.
Quickly now we want to get to it Taj Hotel and our Sara Sidner.
And, Sara, would you at least attempt to bring us the very latest? And I know this is -- when we say the latest, it changes from moment to moment here -- on what you know about continuing operations there at the Taj.
SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think that's the best way to put it. There are continuing operations here. This is not by no means a scene that is over. There are what appears to be army personnel going around the perimeter a bit now. But we're still being now sort of pushed back to our original positions and (INAUDIBLE) the Taj. There has not been any explosions or gunfire in the last half on hour oh so, Tony.
HARRIS: OK. And, Sara, to the best of your knowledge, it sounds like this is an operation now that perhaps -- or maybe I should ask this as a question. Do we know what percentage of the hotel is under the control of the local authorities? Are we talking about an operation now in a small section of the hotel? and in saying that, we know how huge this hotel is.
SIDNER: Yes, a huge hotel. We have not been given any information from Indian authorities or otherwise as to how far they've gotten inside the hotel. What we have seen and noticed is that there is one section of the hotel that seems to be an area where a lot of bangs, a lot of loud noises are targeted out. So we noticed that there is one section of the hotel, the first floor, there's the ground floor and so it's one floor up, that seems to be a definite, specific area of interest. But as far as how far they've gotten through this hotel, you know, it's been 48 hours now since the attack happened. So we imagine they've gotten through quite a bit of the hotel.
HARRIS: OK. Sara Sidner on the ground just outside of the Taj Hotel for us in Mumbai, India.
Sara, thank you so much.
And let's get you the latest information. Commandos in Mumbai India are attempting to wrap up the country's terrorist nightmare. Here is what we know right now.
More than 48 hours into this siege, two Americans, a Virginia man and his daughter, are among the dead. Their bodies found in the Oberoi Hotel restaurant. The hotel cleared earlier today. Hostages freed. Police commando operations still going on, as you just heard from Sara Sidner at the Taj Mahal Hotel. Gunfire reported there just about, oh, 25 minutes ago.
And at the Chabad House, a Jewish center, five hostages have been found dead. Among them, a rabbi and his wife, who moved there from the states. The two-day death toll, at least 160 dead, 325 injured.
We are going to take a quick break and hand things over to Kyra Phillips right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
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