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Mumbai attack hotels greet guests | Mumbai attack hotels greet guests |
(20 minutes later) | |
Two luxury hotels in Mumbai are re-opening, less than a month after they were heavily damaged in attacks on the city that killed at least 170 people. | Two luxury hotels in Mumbai are re-opening, less than a month after they were heavily damaged in attacks on the city that killed at least 170 people. |
The Trident-Oberoi and Taj Mahal Palace hotels were among prominent locations in the Indian city struck by 10 gunmen. | The Trident-Oberoi and Taj Mahal Palace hotels were among prominent locations in the Indian city struck by 10 gunmen. |
Both hotels were the scene of fierce battles between police and the gunmen that lasted for several days. | Both hotels were the scene of fierce battles between police and the gunmen that lasted for several days. |
Armed guards and sniffer dogs have been stationed at both hotels and X-ray machines are to screen guests' bags. | Armed guards and sniffer dogs have been stationed at both hotels and X-ray machines are to screen guests' bags. |
About 80 guests and staff at the hotels were killed as the gunmen went on a shooting spree through the buildings. | About 80 guests and staff at the hotels were killed as the gunmen went on a shooting spree through the buildings. |
Nine gunmen were killed and one is in police custody. | Nine gunmen were killed and one is in police custody. |
The re-openings come as one survivor from the Taj siege told the BBC that some guests were shot and killed by the militants after police said it was safe to leave. | |
The senior policeman in charge of the operation in the hotel has denied the allegations against his officers. | |
'Deep pride' | 'Deep pride' |
Less-heavily damaged sections of the two hotels are being re-opened in the run-up to Christmas. There is definitely a huge amount of sadness in everybody's mind Rattan KeswaniPresident of Trident Hotels Deaths from Mumbai 'police error' | Less-heavily damaged sections of the two hotels are being re-opened in the run-up to Christmas. There is definitely a huge amount of sadness in everybody's mind Rattan KeswaniPresident of Trident Hotels Deaths from Mumbai 'police error' |
A multi-faith prayer ceremony was held at the Trident Oberoi on Sunday for staff, guests and dignitaries before a more formal re-opening. | A multi-faith prayer ceremony was held at the Trident Oberoi on Sunday for staff, guests and dignitaries before a more formal re-opening. |
Security is tight, with metal detectors and X-ray scanners being used to check luggage and ID cards and "pat down" checks for guests. | |
A regular guest at the hotel, Kritika Srinivasan, told AFP news agency: "There is no fear. We see the courage of the people and the staff. | A regular guest at the hotel, Kritika Srinivasan, told AFP news agency: "There is no fear. We see the courage of the people and the staff. |
"We have to show them (the attackers) that they can't break our courage and solidarity." | "We have to show them (the attackers) that they can't break our courage and solidarity." |
Rattan Keswani, president of Trident Hotels which owns part of the Oberoi, said he felt "deep pride" for the work his staff had done both during the 26-29 November attacks, and since. | Rattan Keswani, president of Trident Hotels which owns part of the Oberoi, said he felt "deep pride" for the work his staff had done both during the 26-29 November attacks, and since. |
"There is definitely a huge amount of sadness in everybody's mind," he said, but added that he was proud of his staff for being "100%" committed to re-opening the hotel. | "There is definitely a huge amount of sadness in everybody's mind," he said, but added that he was proud of his staff for being "100%" committed to re-opening the hotel. |
A hundred of the 550 guest rooms of the Trident section of the Oberoi hotel would be occupied on Sunday night, he said. | A hundred of the 550 guest rooms of the Trident section of the Oberoi hotel would be occupied on Sunday night, he said. |
More than 1,000 guests have been invited to a re-opening party at the Taj later on Sunday, where 268 of its 565 rooms are available, hotel officials said. | More than 1,000 guests have been invited to a re-opening party at the Taj later on Sunday, where 268 of its 565 rooms are available, hotel officials said. |
While the modern Tower wing of the Taj is re-opening, the 105-year-old main section of the hotel is still closed, requiring extensive renovations to its ornate wood and marble interiors. | While the modern Tower wing of the Taj is re-opening, the 105-year-old main section of the hotel is still closed, requiring extensive renovations to its ornate wood and marble interiors. |
India has blamed the attacks on the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). | India has blamed the attacks on the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). |
LeT and the Pakistani government have denied any involvement. | LeT and the Pakistani government have denied any involvement. |
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Are you in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. | Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Are you in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. |