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SINGAPORE : The Singaporean held hostage at the Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai had contacted family members in Singapore, who then alerted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) about the situation. MFA received the call at about 6.15am on Thursday.
The ministry confirmed that the hostage is a Singaporean Chinese woman and that she has not been harmed.
It is believed that she was in the city on business, and is one of 20 foreigners taken hostage.
MFA said it is working closely with the Indian authorities to secure the safe release of the Singaporean hostage.
"We were contacted by the family members to the predicament of the Singaporean in Mumbai. They were contacted by the Singaporean," said Jai Sohan, director of Consular Directorate at MFA.
The ministry said it has made arrangements for the family to be flown to Mumbai on Thursday afternoon.
A two-man ministry taskforce is expected to join its consular officers from New Delhi who are flying to Mumbai to provide assistance to Singaporeans there.
Some 115 Singaporeans on holiday or business in the Indian city have registered with the MFA. Seven were stranded after the hotels they were staying at, namely the Taj Mahal and Oberoi Trident, were attacked.
MFA said the seven have since been relocated to secure places in the city. But early Thursday morning, the ministry was alerted to one Singaporean being held hostage at the Oberoi Trident Hotel.
The ministry has also refuted reports that a Singaporean has been injured in the Mumbai attacks.
However, it said it has not been able to contact four out of the 115 Singaporeans who registered their presence in the Indian city with the ministry.
The updates were given at a second media conference by the ministry at 6.30pm on Thursday.
Singapore's High Commissioner in New Delhi has arrived in Mumbai to oversee the safety and care of those stranded there.
MFA said Singapore strongly condemns the attacks and conveyed its deepest condolences to the victims, their families, the government of India and its people.
It said the Mumbai attacks underscored the common terrorist threat that we continue to face today, and Singapore stands firmly behind the Indian government in its fight against terrorism.
The ministry and the Singapore Consulate-General in Mumbai are closely monitoring the situation in the city.
Should Singaporeans require assistance, they can contact the Singapore Consulate-General in Mumbai or the MFA Duty Officer at 6379-8800 or 6379-8855.
When in Mumbai, MFA has advised Singaporeans to take the necessary precautions for their personal safety. During this period, Singaporeans are advised to monitor local news reports and be prepared to face inconveniences in their travel.
If Singaporeans do not have a pressing need to travel to Mumbai, they are advised to postpone their travel to a later date.
Should they decide to travel, they are advised to register with the ministry at www.mfa.gov.sg. This will enable the ministry and the Consulate-General in Mumbai to contact Singaporeans and render them the necessary consular assistance in case of emergencies.
All Singaporeans travelling abroad are also encouraged to purchase comprehensive medical and travel insurance.
- CNA/938LIVE/ls
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