Sara Sidner Reports from Site of Mumbai Terrorist Attacks

Award-winning Journalist Shows Grace Under Fire

CNN's Sara Sidner has become part of the story in Mumbai, India. The attractive reporter has been at the forefront of news coverage, much of it in front of the besieged and terrorist-occupied Taj Mahal Palace. Sidner has been seen reporting calmly and professionally throughout, even after ducking when an explosion occurred directly behind her from inside the Taj Mahal. After a quick "Okay," Sidner resumed reporting as if nothing had occurred.

There was also an incident where a mob of onlookers, apparently growing outraged at the media coverage of the tragic events unfolding throughout the city, blocked Sara Sidner's camera and effectively forced them to stop reporting for several moments. Sidner later recalled that she wasn't fearful but the crowd had been rather insistent that they stop videotaping.

Sara Sidner has been the very definition of 'grace under fire' throughout this tragic ordeal. And she has been noticed by a growing number of people as reports continue to come out of Mumbai, the site of several terrorist attacks and ongoing hostage situations for the past two days. At present, the death toll stands at 160, with at least 327 wounded, according to CNN News.

Although many are unfamiliar with Sara Sidner's work, she had 12 years of journalistic experience before moving to CNN. She was with KTVU in Oakland, California, before signing on with CNN to become their New Delhi-based correspondent in charge of covering India and Southeast Asia. Her work has resulted in several awards, including the Edward R. Murrow award, Regional Emmy award and Associated Press award. She has been nominated for four Emmys. Previous to working in the San Francisco Bay area, Sidner worked for stations in Florida, Texas, and Missouri.

At KTVU, Sara Sidner was both an anchor and a reporter. She covered the 2004 U. S. presidential election from Washington, D.C. as well as the Asian tsunami at year's end, which she reported on from Sri Lanka. Sidner also was involved in covering the story of the stranded family of hikers in the Sierra Nevada mountains that garnered national media attention.