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Terror attack death toll 172: Health Department

Rahi Gaikwad

MUMBAI: The Health Department has confirmed the death of 172 people in the recent terror attacks in the city.

The number of injured in hospitals is 248. Another 44 have taken treatment in the outpatient departments, said a source.

Twenty-one foreign nationals died in the attacks. These include three Germans, an American, a Briton, a Thai, a Japanese, two Canadians, an Australian, an Italian, a Chinese and six Israelis and three unknown persons.

Out of the 22 injured foreigners, three are German, two Americans, five Britons, a Norwegian, a Spanish, a Filipino, a Canadian, a Finn, an Austrian, an Italian, two Omanis, two Chinese and a Jordanian.

Ten employees of the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower lost their lives in the attacks.

In a statement, the Managing Director of Taj Hotels condoled their deaths. He also expressed sorrow over the death of the family members of an employee. “Another cause for most profound sadness has been the death of family members of employees. The wife and two children of Karambir Kang, General Manager of the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower were killed on the first night of the terrorist attack.”

The hotel will organise a memorial service for the dead. “We stand together, unified in grief at their passing and in respect of their honour and courage.”

The Taj group has set up a support system for its injured employees. It comprises medical care and counselling. The management has not yet been given full control of the premises as combing operations were still on, said a spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the management is providing help to its distraught guests. “We have set up a Taj helpline and a helpdesk. They are available on our website http://www.tajhotels.com. We are offering medical help and financial assistance. We have so far received around 2,500 requests from our guests about their belongings and access to their rooms. We have kept one container for each room to collect all the belonging of the room. Everybody is cooperative,” he said.

The hotel has not yet been able to put together its losses. “It is difficult to estimate the losses at this stage. The palace wing [in the old building] has been severely affected. The dome of the heritage wing has been badly damaged. So are the fifth and the sixth floors, two restaurants and a portion of the ballroom,” he said.

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