UK leaders have condemned the shootings in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) which have killed at least 101 people.
Seven British citizens have been injured in the Mumbai attacks, says the British High Commissioner in India.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the attacks were outrageous and would be met with a "vigorous response". He said the UK would stand solidly with India.
Sir Richard Stagg said there were likely to be more UK injured and the identities of the hostages being held across Mumbai (Bombay) were unknown.
British eyewitness Rakesh Patel said the attackers had been seeking out UK and US passport holders.
British eyewitness Rakesh Patel said the attackers had been seeking out UK and US passport holders.
At least 101 people have been killed, and at least 280 injured, in the co-ordinated shootings.
The Foreign Office has issued an emergency number for people with relatives in Mumbai: 0207 008 0000.
The Foreign Office has issued an emergency number for people with relatives in Mumbai: 0207 008 0000.
Condemned 'unreservedly'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the attacks were outrageous and would be met with a "vigorous response".
Police in Mumbai said the shootings, which injured about another 280 people, were co-ordinated terrorist attacks.
'Started firing'
Police in Mumbai said the shootings were co-ordinated terrorist attacks.
About 70 people, said to include foreign nationals, are being held hostage in two luxury hotels and an office block. The area is ringed by Indian troops.
About 70 people, said to include foreign nationals, are being held hostage in two luxury hotels and an office block. The area is ringed by Indian troops.
Police say six foreigners have died in the attack. Their nationalities are not known and the Foreign Office does not know if any British citizens are among the casualties.
Conservative MEP Sajjad Karim, who was in Mumbai as part of a trade delegation with fellow British MEP Syed Kamall, was in the Taj Mahal hotel when it came under attack.
He told the BBC how he ran through the lobby to escape a gunman.
"There was a group of about 17 or 18 of us and another gunman appeared, he had an automatic machine gun type of weapon in his hands and he just pointed it straight at us and started firing," he said.
"People immediately in front of me and to the side of me started to fall and about three or four of us managed to somehow get away. It was all quite quick really."
Sir Richard Stagg told the BBC: "We have visited most of the central hospitals where those injured have been taken and have met seven British victims who are in hospital at the moment and we understand there is likely to be some other injured of British nationality."
He refused to discuss the nature of their injuries and added that the nationality of the hostages being held in the city was unknown though some were "foreign".
'After foreigners'
Mr Brown said: "These outrageous attacks in Mumbai will be met with a vigorous response.
Mr Brown said: "These outrageous attacks in Mumbai will be met with a vigorous response.
"I have sent a message to Prime Minister Singh that the UK stands solidly with his government as they respond, and to offer all necessary help. Urgent action is under way to offer every possible protection to British citizens in the region."
"I have sent a message to Prime Minister Singh that the UK stands solidly with his government as they respond, and to offer all necessary help. Urgent action is under way to offer every possible protection to British citizens in the region."
Mr Patel, a businessman who was eating in the restaurant of the Taj Mahal Palace when gunmen burst in, said: ""They wanted anyone with British or American passports. So I guess they were after foreigners."
Mr Patel, a businessman who was eating in the restaurant of the Taj Mahal Palace when gunmen burst in, said: "They wanted anyone with British or American passports. So I guess they were after foreigners."
As news of the seriousness of the attacks came in, the British Government convened an emergency meeting known as the Consular Crisis Group.
As news of the seriousness of the attacks came in, the British Government convened an emergency meeting known as the Consular Crisis Group.
A Foreign Office spokesman told the BBC it had discussed how to respond and what help it should give to back up British diplomatic staff in the Indian city. India and Britain stand together at this time in the face of terrorism Tory leader David Cameron
A Foreign Office spokesman told the BBC it had discussed how to respond and what help it should give to back up British diplomatic staff in the Indian city. India and Britain stand together at this time in the face of terrorism Tory leader David Cameron
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "When violent terrorism raises its ugly head, it is crucial that the international community stands together.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "When violent terrorism raises its ugly head, it is crucial that the international community stands together.
"India and Britain have close historical ties which should rightly prompt a signal of strong support from Britain to the Indian government."
"India and Britain have close historical ties which should rightly prompt a signal of strong support from Britain to the Indian government."
Conservative leader David Cameron said his thoughts were with all those who had been caught up in the attacks.
Conservative leader David Cameron said his thoughts were with all those who had been caught up in the attacks.
He added: "India and Britain stand together at this time in the face of terrorism."
He added: "India and Britain stand together at this time in the face of terrorism."
Indiscriminate firing
Indiscriminate firing
Gunmen opened fire at about 2300 local time at sites in southern Mumbai including a train station, two five-star hotels, a hospital and a restaurant popular with tourists.
Gunmen opened fire at about 2300 local time at sites in southern Mumbai including a train station, two five-star hotels, a hospital and a restaurant popular with tourists.
At least two blasts, suspected to be grenade attacks, were reported alongside the shootings. Police said the gunmen had fired indiscriminately.
At least two blasts, suspected to be grenade attacks, were reported alongside the shootings. Police said the gunmen had fired indiscriminately.
Middlesex cricket captain Shaun Udal said the team had postponed plans to fly to Mumbai on Thursday for the inaugural Twenty20 Champions League competition.
Middlesex cricket captain Shaun Udal said the team had postponed plans to fly to Mumbai on Thursday for the inaugural Twenty20 Champions League competition.
The tournament is still set to go ahead, but with the Mumbai matches moved to Bangalore.
The tournament is still set to go ahead, but with the Mumbai matches moved to Bangalore.
There has been a wave of bombings in Indian cities in recent months which have left scores of people dead.
There has been a wave of bombings in Indian cities in recent months which have left scores of people dead.
Do you have friends or relatives in Mumbai? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
Do you have friends or relatives in Mumbai? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
