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Hotel hostages freed

By Alex Thomson

Updated on 27 November 2008

Special forces have ended the siege at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai, according to reports.

It is claimed the last three attackers were killed while eight hostages were freed from the offices of a nearby Jewish group.

Up to 10 gunmen stormed the 550 room luxury hotel and began firing indiscriminately.

Hundreds hid in their rooms as sporadic gunbattles broke out between the militants and security forces.

Shortly before dawn fire broke out in one of the wings of the hotel.

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If you are concerned about friends or relatives in Mumbai, the Foreign Office has issued a helpline. The number is 0207 008 0000.

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An Indian official confirmed that first four floors had been cleared by commandos and there are reports the siege there has ended.

But the stand off also continues at the 540 room business hotel the Oberoi Trident and officials said security forces had cleared the eighth to the 21st floors.

It is believed five or six gunmen are holding up to 30 hostages.

As many as 100 others are believed to be hiding in their rooms.

The first British victim of the attacks has been identified as Andreas Liveras. Only last night he wrote on an internet site, "the hotel is shaking every time a bomb goes off. Everybody is just living on their nerves."

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