French couple among the Mumbai dead (2nd Roundup)

Nov 28, 2008, 14:05 GMT

Paris - A French couple that had been staying in the Oberoi Trident Hotel when terrorists struck the Indian city of Mumbai were killed in the attack, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Friday, confirming a news report.

After expressing his condolences to the families of the victims, Kouchner said in a statement, 'I renew my total support, that of France and that of the European Union, for the Indian authorities and to the Indian people in this terrible trial, which we will overcome together.'

Kouchner spoke on behalf of the European Union because France currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

RTL radio had reported that the bodies of the French couple were among 24 corpses found in the hotel when Indian commandos seized control of it from the attackers. The couple, who were not identified, had earlier been reported as missing.

In addition, Air France announced Friday that 15 crew members that had been 'stuck' in the Oberoi Trident were able to walk out and would be repatriated soon.

Another 20 French citizens who were also blocked in their rooms by the heavy fighting were rescued and taken to the French consulate, Kouchner told France Inter radio earlier Friday.