Mumbai under attack: Relatives of hostages bank on hope

Some resorted to praying while few were seen talking to journalists for an update on what was happening inside. With no accurate source of ascertaining their well-being, media and occasional informal briefings by the officials became their only hope.

The anxious crowd cheered when a group of about 90 hostages including, an infant clung to his father’s lap, was escorted out by the hotel staff. The authorities did not allow the hostages to rush to open areas unless their relatives were waiting.

The group had many foreign nationals including the hotel’s Italian chef, his wife and his newborn baby. The couple exhausted with the long wait full of uncertainty avoided answering media and went directly to the jeep parked outside.

While some were crying, some looked relieved and waved as their bus went pass the lensmen. Most of them refused to share anything with the media and hid their faces, some went talking on their mobile phones apparently conveying their safety to their relatives.

Later in the day, about 20 more guests came out of the Trident. The staff of the hotel was seen helping guests board the bus waiting in the nearby Air India building.

A wheelchair-bound elderly foreign national was also seen being helped by fellow guests. He was lifted by two other guests and the hotel staff in the bus.

The scene was somewhat same outside the Taj as the NSG kept trying to secure as many hostages as possible in a fierce operation inside the hotel.

More than 36 hours of intense mental trauma could not deter the spirit of an American couple Bruce and Petty who still want to keep coming back to the country.

Describing their experience in the hotel, Bruce said that they were trying to reassure each other that things would be fine. “We held our hands and reassured each other that it’s going to be over soon,” he said.

The signs of confinement were visible on their dirt- covered faces. Petty, who could not still come out of the traumatic experience stammered while recounting the ordeal.

But she insisted that she would like to complete her holidays and not rush back home. Lauding the commando action, they said that NSG commandos were very professional and ensured the safety of the hostages.