'Crisis Protection' As Mumbai Violence Continues

As news of the death of at least one British citizen has been confirmed, Irish people in the strife-torn Indian city of Mumbai are set to get protection in a specially set-up 'crisis centre'.

Foreign Affairs officials, who are in direct contact with Irish people in Mumbai, have offered consular assistance at the same time as diplomatic staff from the Irish Embassy in New Delhi are being sent to set up the crisis centre at the Honorary Consulate's premises.

However, a British citizen - a woman - an Australian and a Japanese man are now believed to be among those killed by Islamic extremist gunmen who stormed a number of targets.

At least seven other Britons have been injured in the Mumbai attacks, the British High Commissioner in India confirmed earlier.

The Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has condemned the killings, which happened after armed militants attacked up to 10 locations last night, apparently targeting westerners.

He was commenting after more than 100 people were killed, several hundred were injured and scores of people were taken hostage at a local luxury hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace (pictured), where a siege was later ended by police, although the overall situation remains uncertain and dangerous.

However, he underlined that the Department of Foreign Affairs said no Irish casualties have been reported and there are no indications Irish citizens were among those kidnapped.

"As we in Ireland know all too well terrorist atrocities such as these serve no purpose except to kill and injure innocent victims, Indian and foreign alike, and to sow panic and suspicion," Mr Martin said.

The Minister has also been in contact with the Indian Ambassador PS Raghavan today to offer his condolences.

"I expressed the hope to the Ambassador that the Indian authorities will be able to resolve the current situation without further loss of life and that those who carried out or plotted these attacks will be brought to justice," Mr Martin said.

See: One Briton Dead, Several Others Injured In Mumbai Attacks

(BMcC/KMcA)