As terrorists roamed the corridors of the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, some victims used their only lifeline: text messaging.
We take a look at a variety of perspectives on texting during the crisis from New England Cable News, The Chicago Tribune, CNN, and the BBC.
Let’s begin our discussion with New England Cable News, or NECN.
The news website focused on the experience of Charles Cannon, an American who barricaded himself into his hotel room as the terror occurred.
"We were black, covered with soot from all the smoke. We were raw in the throat and the lungs from the inhalations of the fumes and the smell of bombs and gunfire and finally we were given word that the last of the terrorists had been gotten and the army commandos were occupying the building and were securing it, and that took another five hours. As they went room-by-room and secured this hotel, we continued to hear explosions and so we didn’t know who to believe. Were we talking to the real hotel people or were we talking to terrorists?" (NECN)However, Carol and Benjamin Mackoff knew just who they were talking with.
The Chicago Tribune centered on the unprecedented role technology played in the rescue of the Mackoffs.
The couple used a mobile phone to send text messages to their son in Chicago, who then forwarded their number to officials at the U.S. Consulate. (
Chicago Tribune)
In a phone interview with CNN, Mrs. Mackoff said…
"They informed us the final assault was beginning, and we got a call from the colonel of the [Indian] army, and he said, 'We will give you a password and if we come to the door and give it to you, come quietly with us.’” (CNN)Mrs. Mackoff added gunmen rang her doorbell twice during the ordeal, but after 40 hours of entrapment, Indian forces knocked, gave the password and rescued the couple.
Some victims were warned against using their mobile devices during the siege.
The BBC spotlights the contrasting experience of Ken and Lynne Shaw as they took refuge under a marble table in the Taj Hotel.
"A South African gentleman partially stood up and said he just had information from the outside saying there was lots happening from the outside; the hotel was surrounded and we were to maintain total silence. No mobiles, don’t put any lights on, and keep quiet totally. Most people obeyed that but the odd one thought they had to make a mobile call." (BBC)Do you think it was risky for victims to use mobile devices during the Mumbai attacks? Do you have any stories on how mobile technology played a role in the terror siege?
We invite you to share your views and comments with us, and please check out our sources.
