VA ties to the bombings in Mumbai

Faber, Virginia - Two people from Nelson County are feared dead among the more than 125 people killed in the series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.

Twenty five members of the Synchronicity Community, a religious group based in Faber, were visiting Mumbai for a spiritual program at the Oberoi Hotel. That hotel is one of two that terrorists took over.

Eight members of the group visiting India live in Nelson County. Alan and Naomi Scherr, a father and his 13-year-old daughter who live at the Synchronicity compound, are unaccounted for since the attacks. Synchronicity reports on its website that eyewitnesses saw the father and daughter being shot in a restaurant and are feared dead.

Twenty four hours into the situation, Synchronicity members say it all feels surreal. "I guess it's been denial. Like, you know, how could this happen? This is just our little group from Nelson County, finally getting to go to India to see all the things they've wanted to see for all these years," said Synchronicity Vice President Bobbie Garvey.

The six other people from Nelson County, including the group's leader are all ok. Several people in the larger group did suffer bullet wounds but have been treated and are recovering.

The group is working their way out of the hotel to other places. Synchronicity is staying in constant contact with their members, working to find them safe places to stay and eventually travel back home.

The group has set up a hotline for friends and family to check on the status of their loved ones visiting India. That number is 757-644-3400.

Story courtesy of WVIR NBC29 in Charlottesville, Virginia