Corinthia: Tripoli attack not targeted at hotel company

International Hotel Investments, which owns and operates the Corinthia chain of hotels, has said it had no information to suggest that a terrorist attack on their Tripoli hotel on Tuesday 27 January was directly targeted specifically at the company.

“It is not for IHI to speculate on the motives behind the attack, but we have nothing to suggest that this was in any way directly targeted specifically at the company,” IHI plc said in a company statement issued on the Malta Stock Exchange.

“Notwithstanding, the events marked a traumatic and saddening day for all of our colleagues and guests at the hotel. The loss of life is tragic and we grieve for those who were senselessly killed. Whilst the exact unfolding of events is still being fully established, our priority at all times throughout the attack was to ensure the security of our colleagues and guests,” the company said.

No further details of the casualties were provided in the statement.

At least nine people are believed to have died in car bomb explosion outside the hotel, and in the gunfire in the hotel lobby that ensued.

“The company thanks all those who in any way supported it through such an unprecedented situation, including the authorities in Malta. The company is now assessing damage that has been caused to certain areas of the hotel and is taking every measure to safeguard the company’s investment and commitment to continued operations,” company secretary Alfred Fabri said.

The Corinthia Hotel Tripoli includes a commercial centre completed in 2003, that provides offices to international companies over 7,400 square metres on three floors.