Hilton Taba, Egypt - 10 October 2004 | 18:10 (UK time)

Following his visit to Taba, Hilton Group CEO, Mr David Michels has reconfirmed that the investigation and the handling of the Hilton Taba incident is fully in the hands of the relevant authorities, who took control of the site immediately after the incident.

"From what we have seen the authorities are working around the clock to do everything possible to help both the guests and the local community impacted by this tragic incident. Hilton's role now is to cooperate with them as much as possible.

"I would again like to take this moment to express my condolences to those who lost family and friends and to recognize the tremendous effort and the courage of our own Hilton team members."

Yesterday senior Hilton International executives met with about 300 employees of Hilton Taba to address their questions and concerns.

Michels told them, "We will be doing everything we can to make sure that our Hilton Taba team members are properly cared for and that the families of those who lost their lives are fully supported.

"Hilton will continue to pay salaries to all Hilton Taba team members for the next two months.

"Until we have a full understanding of the future of the hotel, we will seek to employ the Hilton Taba team in our other properties in Egypt or elsewhere."

Many team members have now begun to transfer to other locations.

Hilton Taba, Egypt - 9 October 2004 | 08:30 (UK time)

Hilton Group PLC CEO, David Michels speaking from Taba said, "The investigation is now in the hands of the authorities. Our role is to support the local authorities to the best of our ability."

After his arrival in Taba on Friday, David Michels has met with the Minister of Tourism and other authorities as well as with many Hilton guests and staff.

Since 8.00am Cairo time Friday morning, Hilton Egypt mobilized a Call Centre (based in Cairo) to provide support and a central link for friends and family of guests who have been affected by the blast or who remain unaccounted for.

The Call Centre number has been broadcast on Egyptian radio on an hourly basis since 2.00pm Friday.

The Centre is urging anyone who may have left the scene independently and without informing authorities, to make contact with the Centre or one of the following organizations.

Hilton Call Centre in Cairo on +202 5805925. The toll free Hilton Reservation hotline for anyone in Israel on: 1800 945 9928. The Egyptian embassy located in their country. Their own embassy located in Egypt.

Said David Michels, "Our Hilton team members have shown remarkable courage. They have worked around the clock to support guests and staff in whatever capacity needed. Many have lost their colleagues, their friends and their family members and my message to them is to be strong and that they are not alone. The entire Hilton family is behind them."

Mr Michels said five Hilton employees are known to have died in the blast. Official figures are not yet available.

Further information will be issued when available:

Hilton Taba, Egypt - 8 October 2004 | 08:30 (UK time)

"The Taba hotel was evacuated late last night and guests requiring medical attention were transported to nearby hospitals. Those not requiring medical attention were transferred and checked in to other hotels in the area.

"We have regenerated the guest list from the hotel database and we are sharing this with appropriate embassies whose staff are now contacting all citizens and residents who stayed in our property last night.

"We understand that soon after the incident, some guests left the hotel in their own vehicles. To confirm their safety, we encourage these guests to please contact our Call Centre in Cairo on +202 5805925 or their Embassy in Egypt. For enquiries from Israel, please call 1800 945 9928.

"Exact details of the number of people involved are not yet available."

Taba is an Egyptian owned hotel managed over the past ten years by Hilton International.

The 410 room hotel is regularly used by Israeli and other nationalities.

Further information will be issued when available:

Hilton Taba, Egypt - 8 October 2004 | 01:30 (UK time)

A spokesperson for Hilton International said, "We are deeply shocked by this serious incident which occurred in Hilton Taba this evening.

"Our sincere condolences go to the families and friends of those killed and injured as a result.

"At present, the Egyptian and Israeli authorities are working together at the scene."

"The hotel has been evacuated and we have transported guests to other hotels in the area. We understand that some guests have also left in their own vehicles. Guests requiring medical attention have been transported to nearby hospitals.

"We are now working with authorities to provide a definitive guest list for distribution to the appropriate embassies.

"Details of the number of people involved are not yet available.

Taba is an Egyptian owned hotel managed over the past ten years by Hilton International.

The 410 room hotel is regularly used by Israeli and other nationalities."

Further information will be issued when available:

Hilton Taba, Egypt - 7 October 2004 | 23:00 (UK time)

A spokesman for Hilton International said, "We are deeply shocked by this serious incident which occurred in the Hilton Taba, Egypt, this evening."

"Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends of those who have been killed and injured as a result.

"Details of the numbers involved are not yet available. At present the Egyptian and Israeli authorities are working together at the scene.

"Taba is an Egyptian owned hotel managed over the past ten years by Hilton International.

"The 410-room hotel is regularly used by Israeli's and other nationalities.

Further information will be issued when available:

Alex Pagett
Group Corporate Affairs Director, Hilton Group
v Tel: +44 (0) 1968 682358
Mob: +44 (0) 7974 229888

Gunnar Brandberg
VP Middle East Asia Pacific, Hilton International
Tel: +65 9638 6981

Shelley Winkel
Director of Public Relations, Middle East Asia Pacific, Hilton International
Mob: +65 9171 0223

Elaine Hayes
Head of Media Relations, Hilton Group
Mob: +44 (0) 7974 229247

Elaine Hayes
Head of Media Relations, Hilton Group
+44 (0) 20 7856 8293
Hilton International (HI)

Related