More Aussies feared dead in Mumbai

It could be days before the official Australian death toll in the Mumbai terrorist attacks is known, says Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.

While still only one Australian death has been confirmed, there are grave fears for
a second Australian and officials on the ground in the Indian city believed more
fatalities are likely.
Mr Smith said it was difficult to estimate how long it would take to confirm the
number of Australian deaths.
"I can't discount that there may not be ... further Australians amongst the
victims," Mr Smith told ABC Radio on Saturday.
"We just have to wait patiently while the Indian authorities go through the
painstaking process of clearing the hotel and identifying victims.
"Unfortunately, I can't put a timetable on that. I think we have to say days rather
than hours.
"It's a terrible painstaking process. I think also we are better off proceeding with
caution."
Mr Smith said the government was doing everything it could to help Australians
affected by the terrorist assault.
That included moving additional consular officers to India, helping provide new
passports to those who needed them, counselling and medical assistance and a
financial assistance package for people caught up in the attack.
"All of the things that we can do for people who have been caught up in it we think
we have been doing," he said.
Mr Smith also said he did not believe the terrorist attack would hamper Australia's
relations with India.
"Whilst there will be difficulties in terms of travel, in some respects this will
help make us closer as neighbours and friends," he said.
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with India at this very difficult time."
Indian media reports say up to 155 people were killed and 327 wounded in the attacks
across Mumbai by suspected Pakistan-based Islamic militants in what is being called
"India's 9/11".