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Update from Raymond Bickson, the Managing Director
of Taj Hotels, as of 1.00 pm IST, December 1, 2008
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News for the Hospitality Executive |
Update from Raymond Bickson, the Managing Director
of Taj Hotels, as of 1.00 pm IST, December 1, 2008
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| CURRENT UPDATE
1.00 pm IST, December 1, 2008 In the early hours of December 1st, the security authorities handed control of The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower back to the Taj group. However, certain parts of the property are still inaccessible, either due to the continuing security investigations or for safety reasons. With immediate effect, the building has been placed under as tight a seal as possible until a full risk assessment has been completed. Access to the hotel buildings is only being given to a limited number of specialist personnel. This is due to the need to remove all potential sources of risk arising from the attack. The assessment team will be carrying out their initial survey of the property during the early afternoon of Monday December 1st. Sections of the building also require specialist assessment to establish their structural integrity, but these surveys will not be initiated until the risk assessment is complete. On Wednesday 26th November, a large, well prepared and ruthless terrorist gang launched simultaneous suicide attacks on more than ten locations across Mumbai. Such a level of deadly force applied in a sophisticated attack took the whole country and all its agencies by surprise. The nature of the attacks was to indiscriminately take life in a number of publicly accessible places. These included the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers, other hotels, a restaurant and public transport locations. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and deep personal respects to all the members of the National Security Guard who gave their lives or risked their lives as they confronted the terrorist attackers. Our thoughts also remain with all those who lost their lives during the attacks - our guests, our staff and their families and many other fellow citizens of Mumbai. 5.00 pm IST, November 30, 2008 Honouring Taj employees who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks and caring for employees of The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Mr. Raymond Bickson, the Managing Director of Taj Hotels, has made the following statement: "It is a matter of the deepest sadness to the Taj family that 10 (ten) of our colleagues lost their lives during the course of the terrorist attack on The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel, leaving their families in deep grief. The names and details of the employees who lost their lives are: Vijay Banja, aged 48 years.
Another cause for the most profound sadness has been the death of family members of employees during the attack. As has already been reported, 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. Over the course of the next few days the entire Taj family will be commemorating our colleagues who gave their lives and a memorial service is in the course of being organised, We stand together, unified in grief at their passing and in respect of their honour and courage. The Taj group has also made arrangements to support the 11 employees who were injured during the attacks. All those who require medical assistance or counselling support are receiving it and, of course, we are taking care of all their expenses. All the employees of The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower are being taken care of and some may be redeployed until operations are resumed." 6.05 pm IST, November 29, 2008 With regards to reports by some media outlets, we would like to point out that we have no indications or information from the investigating authorities that any of the hotel employees or contractual staff has been involved in this terrorist attack. We continue to extend our full cooperation to the relevant authorities and await their full assessment of the situation. 1.00 pm IST, November 29, 2008 Statement from Mr. Raymond Bickson, CEO & Managing Director, The Indian Hotels Company Limited I would just like to update you all. The heroic actions of our security forces have now contained the attack on the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. We are enormously saddened at the loss of life amongst the brave men who carried out this action. Due to the security measures that are being completed in the hotel, we have been granted very limited access, presently. The process of fully assessing the internal situation can not yet begin as the NSG are continuing their risk assessment. We will provide updates on the situation within the hotel when we can. We are extending our full cooperation to the investigating authorities. There is one point that I would like to make clear. We have had no indications from them that any employee or contractual staff of the hotel have been involved as part of this terrorist attack as is being reported by some media outlets. At the moment, the clear focus of all our activities continues on supporting the immediate needs of the guests and staff who have been affected by the terrorist acts. Our deep condolences are being expressed to the families and friends of all those who have lost their lives. 10.00 am IST, November 29, 2008 Although the security forces have completed the initial phase of their operations at the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers, the building is still in the process of being fully secured. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and deep personal respects to all the members of the National Security Guard who gave their lives or risked their lives as they confronted the terrorist attackers. Our thoughts also remain with all those who lost their lives during the attacks - our guests, our staff and their families and many other fellow citizens of Mumbai. We are continuing the process of providing care and support to meet the immediate needs of our guests and staff who were affected by the incident. Over 130 resident guests and families from the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers are being accommodated at other Taj properties in Mumbai, namely the Taj President, Taj Lands End and Taj Wellington Mews. The 24/7 Helpline set up by the Taj to provide updates on the guests of The Taj Mahal Palace and Towers has been in operation for the last 48 hours. Additionally, the help desks for our resident guests at our three properties in Mumbai have been providing a wide range of support and assistance for affected guests. We owe an enormous debt of honour to the members of our staff and their families who lost their lives or sustained injuries in the course of the terrorist attack. On behalf of many resident guests from our hotel who experienced the attack, we would like to acknowledge many individual acts of tremendous bravery displayed by our staff as the terrible events unfolded. Messages of condolence and support have been pouring in to us from guests, citizens of Mumbai and from around the world. We would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude for this overwhelming display of sympathy and support. 1.00 pm IST, November 28, 2008 Everyone at Taj Hotels is greatly saddened by the recent act of terrorism. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of all those who have lost their lives across the city of Mumbai. The rescue and recovery operations by the security forces are continuing at The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. The hotel management and staff are working closely with the relevant authorities and providing full cooperation to them for the safety and security of all our guests and staff. To provide timely updates and assistance to the guests of the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower and their families, the Taj has set-up a 24x7 helpline. This aims to provide relevant information on the guests who were checked into the hotel from November 26th onwards. Help desks have also been established at the Taj President, Taj Wellington Mews and Taj Lands End for all guests who have been moved by us to our other properties. These are providing a wide range of support including medical assistance, arrangement of onward travel plans, provision of travel documentation and any other assistance that is required. 7.30 am IST, November 27, 2008 The Taj is very much a symbol of India and we are actually seeing a battle on and we will be defiant.We are monitoring the development of the unfortunate situation unfolding in South Mumbai,in and around our hotel and are fully cooperating with the police and the government authorities to ensure the safety and security of all our guests and staff.That is all we can say at the moment and we would like to channelise all our effort and energy to ensure a speedy normalisation of the situation as best as we can. We will rebuild every inch that has been damaged in this attack and bring back the Taj to its full glory. 4.30 am IST, November 27, 2008 Taj Hotels are monitoring the development of the unfortunate situation unfolding at The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in South Mumbai and are fully cooperating with the police and the government authorities who are working towards the safety and security of all our guests and staff. That is all we can say at the moment and we would like to channel all our efforts and energy to ensure a speedy normalisation of the situation as best as we can. Helpline To provide timely updates and assistance to the guests of the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower and their families, the Taj has set-up a 24x7 helpline. This aims to provide relevant information on the guests who were checked into the hotel from November 26th onwards. This helpline has dealt with over 2000 calls over the past 24 hours. Taj 24x7 helpline numbers are: India: + 91 22 6657 4322 / 6657 4372 / 1 800 111825
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