Case Study

The Mumbai terrorist attacks - a case study

The Mumbai terrorist attacks – combining the resources of International SOS and Control Risks to locate and secure our clients’ safe return

Background The Mumbai terrorist attacks in November 2008 posed unprecedented questions of companies’ security and contingency plans. They constituted a radical break from India’s long running endemic terrorism which has killed thousands of Indian nationals but has not attracted global attention. In November, for the first time, terrorists targeted the international business community and the iconic buildings where they were staying. International SOS and Control Risks supported 59 companies and more than 200 of their employees who were directly affected by the attacks. We also advised 143 organisations who had staff or operations in Mumbai and those who had employees due to travel there. Our immediate response to the attacks was fundamental in securing the safe return of all clients who found themselves trapped in their hotels. Our approach We used our unrivalled resources to support clients and their employees during the Mumbai attacks. These included: • Our travel tracking service which located individuals either in or travelling to Mumbai. • A team of five security consultants deployed immediately to both hotel locations who provided practical advice and reassurance to those directly affected. • Our 24-hour Global Security Centre which acted as a communication hub between corporate headquarters, employees trapped in the hotels or in the vicinity of the attacks, our security consultants on the scene and the local security forces. • An emergency alarm centre set up in Mumbai to co-ordinate our actions. • A series of regular, reliable updates and briefings which kept clients informed about the latest situation on the ground. • Medical and psychological support from International SOS on hand for the victims of the attacks. Throughout the course of the attacks, we brought together...