Do More With Reuters
Partner Services

Spanish official escapes barefoot from Indian attack

Thu Nov 27, 2008 6:57pm IST
 
Email | Print | | Single Page
[-] Text [+]

MADRID, Nov 27 (Reuters) - A Spanish regional government official said on Thursday she was caught in the crossfire after gun-toting militants attacked a luxury hotel in Mumbai, India, and that she escaped the bloodied lobby barefoot.

Esperanza Aguirre, head of Madrid's regional government, said she heard gun shots just as she was checking in at the Trident/Oberoi hotel as part of a Spanish business delegation.

"We threw ourselves down under the reception counter. I took off my shoes and we left being pushed along by the hotel staff," Aguirre said.

She initially thought the shots were the sound of breaking glass, but hotel staff hurried them away.

"I didn't see any terrorists or injured people. I just saw the blood I had to walk through barefoot," Aguirre said.

More than 100 people were killed in attacks that began on Wednesday evening on luxury hotels, a landmark cafe, hospitals and railway station in India's financial capital Mumbai.

A senior Indian home ministry official said 20-30 people could still be held hostage in the Trident/Oberoi hotel.

Aguirre said she managed to escape from the hotel and returned by car to the airport. Along with four other members of the delegation, she returned via an earlier flight to Madrid, where she arrived on Thursday. (Reporting by by Inmaculada Sanz; Editing by Catherine Bosley)

Russian Finance Minister Alexey Kudrin poses with his G20 colleagues and central bank leaders during the family photo at the G20 Finance Ministers meeting at a hotel in St. Andrews, Scotland. REUTERS/POOL New
Pledge to support economies

G20 financial leaders pledged to prepare strategies to end emergency support for their economies, but to keep the aid flowing until recovery was assured.  Full Article | Related Story 

special coverage

Photo
Central Banks Cautious

Reuters tracks the policies of the world's top central banks as the debate over global economic recovery rages on.  Full Coverage 

Market Update

  • IndiaIndia
  • USUS
  • UKUK
  • Asia
  • Most Actives

SHOWCASE

Sanjay Sinha
Balancing Act

In India, it is a tough choice between growth, managing inflation and financial stability.  Full Article 

 
Nipun Mehta
Road to Recovery

There needs to be an acceptable balance created between education and healthcare and infrastructure spend, says Nipun Mehta of SG Private Banking.   Full Article 

 
Robot Asimo

Snapshots of Honda Motor's humanoid robot Asimo  Slideshow 

 
Marketing Strategy
Marketing Strategy

Companies are now using direct marketing methods to sell their products.  Full Article 

 
Exit Plans
Exit Plans

Factbox - Stimulus exit plans for Asia-Pacific's big 5 economies  Full Article