AT LEAST one Briton was among more than 100 people killed in a series of terrorist attacks in India, an official said today.
A Briton, an Australian and a Japanese man were killed by gunmen storming a number of targets in Mumbai, a spokesman at the Maharashtra state home ministry said.
The British Foreign Office said it was aware of the report but it was "not something we can confirm".
At least seven Britons are among hundreds wounded as a result of the raids, in which gunmen apparently targeted Westerners.
The British High Commissioner in India 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."
A fire breaks out of the dome of the Taj hotel in Mumbai on November 26, 2008. Picture: Pal Pillai/AFP/Getty Images
Sir Richard said that the situation was still confused.
"It is a very difficult and tense situation and one where we are trying to work closely with the Indian government in order to try to help them resolve it as they have helped us over the years with some serious terrorist attacks in the UK," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"He said that while India had significant experience of terrorism, it had not suffered attacks of this nature before.
"Clearly there has been a massive and carefully planned operation which has, to a degree at least, changed the way in which terrorism has been operated in India and it will make everybody here reflect on how best to deal with this scourge," he said.
People were being held in the Taj Mahal Palace and Oberoi Trident hotels which were among the sites attacked.
Between 10 and 12 terrorists are holding between 100 and 200 hostages in the Oberoi, according to Sky News.
The hostage situation at the Taj Hotel has ended, a senior Mumbai police official said today.
The city's director general of police, A N Roy, told local media that there was no longer a hostage-type situation.
Both hotels were ringed by Indian troops this morning. British guests today described the moment their hotels were stormed.
Alan Jones, a businessman from South Wales, was in a lift at the Oberoi Trident when a fellow occupant was shot, prompting frantic scenes as he
attempted to pull the man back in to close the door.
Fire brigade personel arrive as fire engulfs the top floor of the Taj Mahal hotel. Picture: Lorenzo Tugnoli/AFP/Getty
Alex Chamberlain, who works for a sports website and was also in the city on business, told Sky News he believed the gunmen were looking for British and American visitors.
He said: "They told everybody to stop and put their hands up and asked if there were any British or Americans. My friend said to me, 'Don't be a hero, don't say you are British'."
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said she could not give any indication of the number of Britons involved in the incident and could not comment on reports that British people were being targeted.
The Foreign Office emergency number for people worried about friends or relatives is 020 7008 0000.
Hostages are also believed to be held in an office block in the city's financial district.
In a further interview with CNN, Sir Richard praised the performance of the Indian police.
He said: "They are doing a very good job in a difficult circumstance. We work very closely with them. The Indian police and anti-terror officers have been very helpful to us with terrorism in the UK and we are offering the same kind of assistance at the moment."
An Indian policeman takes position as gunshots are fired at the site of attack in the Colaba area of Mumbai. Picture: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP/Getty Images
Among the sites targeted by gunmen were the two hotels, a train station, a hospital and a restaurant.
A group called Deccan Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack.
"We have reviewed all our security arrangements in the light of these attacks and will be taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of the team."
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