UK citizens who were victimised in the 26/11 Mumbai terror massacre in 2008 will be given compensation following the announcement of a new scheme by the British government.
Current policy allows compensation to British victims who are killed or injured in terrorist incidents that occur in the UK.
The new scheme will not be retrospective but officials said British victims of terrorism in overseas since 2002 would be eligible for compensation.
The announcement of the new Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme in British Parliament yesterday follows a drive launched by a UK victim, William Pyke, who was caught between the crossfire in Mumbai, and left paralysed for life.
Pyke, 29, campaigned for the law to be changed after discovering there was no provision for UK citizens injured in terror attacks outside the country.
He was holidaying with his girlfriend Kelly Doyle when the Taj hotel was attacked.
While trying to escape from the window, Pyke fell 50 feet when knots in a rope made of bedsheets and curtains did not hold. Doyle was rescued soon after.
They had been convinced they would die as they cowered in their bathroom and heard the sound of gunshots.
The London-based couple say they have struggled to survive financially after the seige and their travel insurance did not cover terror attacks.
"Terrorism is intended as a political statement and an attack on society as a whole. Therefore it is right that, as a tangible expression of sympathy, society should compensate the victims of terrorist attacks abroad in recognition of the injuries suffered," Justice Secretary Jack Straw said.
The amount of compensation would be calculated according to a tariff based on the seriousness of injury.
As many as 166 people, including several foreign citizens were killed in the Mumbai terror assault in 2008.
Incidents where UK victims of terrorism abroad and their families have campaigned for compensation include attacks in Mumbai in 2008, Sharm al-Sheikh in 2005, and Bali in 2002.
