Posted on 07/07/2005 1:45:13 AM PDT by RWR8189
There has been an explosion at Aldgate East underground station in London, causing the closure of the entire Tube network.
There are also reports that a second incident took place at Edgware Road station in north west London.
The Aldgate East blast was caused by "some kind of power surge", according to Tube infrastructure company Metronet, which is responsible for maintaining the Metropolitan line.
A spokesman said: "We don't know the extent of the problem yet."
A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We have just sent some resources out to the scene."
British Transport Police confirmed that there are "walking wounded" and said paramedics have responded to one report of a person classed as "life at risk".
"It's chaos, with people trying to work out what has happened," said a spokesman.
"All we know at the moment is that staff reported a loud bang at 8.49am. No one is sure what caused an explosion, but it is thought it could have been a collision, a power cut, or a power cable problem."
One witness said the packed underground train he was on was 200 metres from Kings Cross when there was a huge flash.
The train stopped and people were using umberellas to smash windows of the trains. Passengers were led out of the train by underground staff.
He added people were milling around Kings Cross covered in soot.
I'm fine...I'm out in the countryside. I'm lucky that my parents and sister are in Singapore at the moment.
London, however, is my home turf.
Regards, Ivan
AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BASTARDS!@!!!!@#^!%#(!#^$*)!
Tony Blair to speak in 31 minutes.
G-8 doesn't want to let the terrorist attack stop what's going on there.
Personally, I think Tony Blair should come home.
Thanks! Ok family is all ok...Sister at Diana memorial and walking back. Told them not to leave hotel! Thanks all
Yes. Do NOT disobey The Laz. STAY SAFE, FRIEND.
My feelings exactly!
CNN Int' eyewitness says Bus opened up like a tin can. Multiple bodies strewn around.
London Shuts Subway After Blasts, Evacuates Stations (Update4)
July 7 (Bloomberg) -- London closed its subway system and evacuated all stations after emergency services were called to explosions in and around the financial district.
Police said blasts occurred in ``multiple locations.'' A bus exploded near Russell Square, causing ``numerous casualties,'' a police statement said. A policeman on the scene at Liverpool Street said fatalities had occurred.
Liverpool Street station, Aldgate, Edgware Road and King's Cross are among stations evacuated after blasts were reported on underground train links. Scotland Yard said the first blast was reported at 8:50 a.m. local time.
``I heard a big bang,'' said Loyita Worley, 49, from Finchley in London, who was traveling between Aldgate and Liverpool Street and had soot around her nose and mouth. ``The lights went out on the train and ash began to fall. I smelt a burning smell. Some people were panicking and I heard people shouting and crying for help.''
Prime Minister Tony Blair, in Gleneagles, Scotland, for the Group of Eight summit, is being kept abreast of the situation, his office said.
A policeman at Liverpool Street said an incident may have been caused by a train crash.
A spokesman said London Fire Brigade was called to an explosion at Liverpool Street and blasts at ``a number'' of locations. A city of London police spokesman said a blast occurred just before 9 a.m. local time at Aldgate station, and a number of people were wounded.
`Panicking Inside'
London Ambulance Service initially sent four vehicles to Liverpool Street, a spokesman said. The service then sent ambulances to other locations in central London. ``There was panicking inside,'' said Samantha Fletcher, who was stuck in a train for about an hour between Cannon Street and Tower Hill stations. Offices around Aldgate are being shut.
The British Broadcasting Corp. said a power surge may have affected underground trains.
There are about 1,000 London Metropolitan Police officers on duty at the G-8 summit, said Ruth Copperthwaite, a spokeswoman for Scotland's Tayside Police. There are no plans to send them back early at the moment, she said.
Was this rush hour?
I am very nervous about going into Manhattan to work but I have no choice. This is very scary!
A rumour: suspect packages have been found in Swindon and Brighton as well.
Regards, Ivan
Thanks, not a way to start a day, those poor people. This feels way to much like 9-11 all over again.
DC Transit is also on alert. Checking buses and trains.
That's just TOO close to not be on purpose. This was well executed.
Not that's been reported. If my memory serves correctly, the IRA pattern is to claim "credit" very soon after an attack. I also don't believe the IRA has ever perpetrated such a coordinated attack.
Seems to me it's unlikely to be any but AQ.
Police Chief of London - didn't receive a specific warning.
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