Posted on 07/07/2005 3:15:34 AM PDT by MadIvan
Several people have been injured after explosions on the Underground network and a double-decker bus in London.
A police spokesman said there were "quite a large number of casualties" at Aldgate Tube Station.
And Scotland Yard confirmed one of several reports of explosions on buses in the city - in Tavistock Place - but said the cause was not yet known.
UK Home Secretary Charles Clarke said several explosions in central London had caused "terrible injuries".
"The health services are in support to deal with the terrible injuries that there have been," Clarke told reporters outside Downing Street.
Number 10 said it was "still unsure" whether the explosions were a terrorist attack and although casualties were reported, no further details were yet available.
Ministers are meeting to clarify the situation and the government will make a statement later, Leader of the House Geoff Hoon told the Commons.
One caller to BBC Five said his friend had seen "the bus ripped open like a can of sardines and bodies everywhere".
And the Press Association quoted union officials as saying sources had told them there had been at least one explosive device on the Underground.
British Transport Police said incidents took place at Aldgate, Edgware Road, King's Cross, Old Street and Russell Square stations.
Scotland Yard confirmed they were assisting with a "major incident" and said there were casualties.
Hospitals have said they are no longer accepting non-emergency cases, BBC Five Live reported.
The National Grid, which supplies power to the Underground, said there had been no problems with its system which could have contributed to the incidents.
'Screaming and crying'
Jacqui Head, from BBC News, who had just left King's Cross station on a Piccadilly Line train as an explosion happened, said: "Everything was normal. Suddenly there was a massive bang, the train jolted.
"There was immediately smoke everywhere and it was hot and everybody panicked. People started screaming and crying."
The train was kept in the tunnel for 20 minutes and no announcement was made to explain the delay to passengers, she added.
Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes, near Kings Cross, told Five Live: "My only thought in the midst of all this confusion is that after the celebration of yesterday (for the Olympic 2012 London success) for people to be evil enough - if it is the intentional causing of death and injury - and think that they can justify this in any circumstances is completely unacceptable."
London Fire Brigade said four crews were at Liverpool Street and more were on their way.
Another passenger, who had left the Tube at Fenchurch Street Station, and walked to Aldgate East, told BBC Five Live that he saw injured people.
"As I walked through the bus station I could see people lying on the ground, black, as if they'd been covered in smoke. There were about three or four people on the floor being treated."
Eyewitness Paul Woloszyn from BBC News, who was at Blackhorse Road station on the Victoria Line, said: "We were told there was a bomb at Liverpool Street station.
"I was on the Tube, and they stopped the train and told everyone to get off and evacuate the station."
He said staff had said the entire Tube network had been affected, and leaflets had been handed out with details of alternative bus routes.
Another eyewitness, Dorothy Molloy, had been on a Tube train at King's Cross and said "staff just chucked everyone out of the station".
She said staff there had not given any details, but she said two passengers she had spoken to had said they had received messages saying there had been bombs.
"People didn't really know what was going on, they were just huffing and puffing and saying how annoying it was," she said.
"People don't seem to be panicked, but there's so many police and ambulances coming into the areas. People are just concerned, and some are just annoyed at the delay."
It is great to have Churchill and a few others with clarity to quote in times like this.
Officials are now saying "This appears to be a series of coordinated attacks"
Well put Ivan, short, sweet and to the point! Good to see you again.
Thanks be to God, "it comes out if it's in you!" My dad, the Major said much the same Ivan and mom had to be very careful waking him for years but it had to be.
The British, have been Bombed before London was burning, Hitler tried to break the Will of the British People and he could not succeed. The Muslim Terrorists have unleashed a Tuff and Powerful People that will Prevail. My Prayers to all the People in London that were Hurt by these Animals. Tony Blair on Now.
The UK is no Spain... I know this will just toughen your resolve (not that there was ever any doubt about it in the first place).
Let me know where you need a good shooter Ivan. Seriously my prayers are with you and you countrymen. I know that England and London will bounce back quickly.
When it is found out who did this GIVE THEM HELL!
They (the terrorists) can't seem to take lessons from History - the Allies during WWI and WWII just to start.
Has anyone claimed responsibility yet?
This is the signature of Al Qaeda or one of its groups.
Tony Blair has just stated that he believes they are terrorist attacks and that they were coordinated to coincide with the opening of the G8 talks.
He warns the islamofascists that we wont back down
30 students from the school that I teach at up here in Canada are in London right now on a school trip. I am worried sick as I watch the news.
Just a few days ago, I was visiting a friend in Oklahoma City. She's got an English Bulldog, and he's so representative of what I believe the British people are all about. He's a loveable rascal, but when he puts his mind to something (usually something in the "treat jar"), NOTHING will turn him aside from accomplishing his goal. And I also visited the OKC Bombing memorial for the first time, which puts today's horrible events in perspective for me.
Mark
Thanks for the ping Howlin. 'Preciate it.
Go Tony!
You are not alone.
We are in this together - and we will prevail no matter what it takes.
We need to wait and see who did this. Whether it is related to the G8 meeting or a continuation of 9-11.
No reasonable person could expect us to solve all the problems of the world while we are fighting for our lives.
Dear God!
My prayers are with you and all the British people.
God Bless,
sneakers
Sad ping today. :-(
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