Terrorist attacks in Mumbai

We have all been shocked and appalled at the recent events in Mumbai.

Media coverage has largely focused on the tragic events at the luxurious Taj Mahal Palace and Oberoi hotels. However what has been less well publicised is the indiscriminate shooting at the popular backpacking bar Leopold café. Well armed terrorists in the busy bar started spraying bullets around the premises. Shockingly what has emerged from survivor accounts is how they started aiming their bullets at floor level as either people sought refuge on the ground under tables or lay wounded and in certain cases dying or dead.

Interestingly there has been evidence of terrorist activity for some time in Mumbai with smaller, less well documented attacks taking place. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office had a high level warning in place warning travellers of the potential risks. However I wonder how many people actually knew that… Unless the event is big enough to make it onto the Nine O’clock news it is easy to be unaware.

Although I strongly believe that this atrocious attack should never stop us living our western life the way we want, it is wise to be aware of local conditions before making travel plans in today’s uncertain world.