Austin, Taj employee of Udupi dies in attack

Udupi, Nov 28: An Udupi based employee in Mumbai's Taj Mahal Hotel Austin Martis, was also among more than 150 people killed in the terrorist attacks on the country's commercial capital. According to the family sources on Saturday, Nov 28, the victim Austin, hailing from Kattingeri village near Moodubelle in the district, was working as one of the restaurant managers.

As a senior employee, he was working in the hotel for more than 25 years. His daughter was also given a job in the hotel and was working since last year in the same building, a family member said.

Austin's father Valerian Martis, who is in deep grief over the son's death told UNI at his residence that his son was felled by the terrorists' bullet when he went in search of his daughter in the beseiged building.

The Martis family left for Mumbai tonight.

Meanwhile, another person based in Kundapur in the district, who was working in the same heritage hotel as cook and suspected to be killed in the terrorist firing was, however, found to be safe.

Sadananda Navada, a relative of Srinivasa Urala (52), working as the Chef at the hotel since last 22 years, said the family members were anxious about the safety of Mr Urala.

However, today they could receive the phone call from the Chef who said he was safe. He had escaped and came out from the hotel soon after he heard the firing.

UNI