Chinese moved to safety after Mumbai attack

By Zhu Zhe and Xin Dingding (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-27 22:57

Three Chinese nationals caught in the Mumbai mayhem have been moved to safer places, the Chinese Consulate General in India's financial capital said Thursday as the Foreign Ministry condemned the serial attacks that killed more than 100 people.

Other compatriots in the western Indian city are also safe, the consulate general said.

The consulate general is less than 100 m away from the Trident (formerly Oberoi), one of the two luxury hotels attacked by terrorists on Wednesday night and the scene of deadly blasts and shootouts yesterday.

Wang Zhenhua, a consul, said the consulate general was "very fortunate" not to have suffered any damage from the blasts.

Anther consul Zhang Longhai said: "No Chinese citizen or overseas Chinese has been killed or injured in Mumbai."

Two Hong Kong tourists stranded in the Trident Hotel have been shifted to safety. And a Chinese cook working in Taj Hotel, the other hotel bombarded by the terrorists, managed to escape.

Zhang said there are about 1,000 Chinese in Mumbai, and the consulate is trying to provide all necessary help to them. The consulate general has released three emergency numbers that people with relatives in Mumbai can call to seek information: 0091-9820302546, 0091-9820302548 and 0091-8920535225.

Wang said he was woken up by a deafening noise that shook the consulate building on Wednesday night. Since then the consulate general has been working non-stop, receiving calls from Chinese nationals and organizations, and liaising with hotels and police to inquire about the situation and safety of the people. Security in and around the consulate general has been beefed up, too.

Victims mourned

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang strongly condemned the attacks and mourned the victims. "We strongly condemn the series of attacks in Mumbai. We oppose all forms of terrorism," he said at a regular press briefing yesterday.

Travel agencies are arranging for Chinese visitors to leave Mumbai as soon as possible. At least 200 Chinese business people were in Mumbai to attend a chemical products' exhibition fair, said Hao Zhigang, manager of Nature Travels, a Beijing-based travel agency.

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