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."
I feel the steel butt jump
Smooth in my hand
Staring at the sea
Staring at the sand
Staring at myself
Reflected in the eyes
Of the dead man on the beach
The dead man on the beach
I'm alive
I'm dead
I'm the stranger
Killing a TERRORIST ...
My prayers are with you and your people. You were there for us, now it is our turn.
I agree.
But there will never be peace on this earth.
Ewwwwwwwwwwww, Ivan, not before breakfast - Please.
It shouldn't be that fact though, maybe an inch of skin at a time along with honey and ants.
Now who do you suppose did this?
Not just the Brits, but two other European countries and GOD help us, America. Brings back a flood of memories of 9/11 and the aftermath.
They should cancel the G8 conference and send everyone home.
With you in spirit.
Godspeed you on your quest for righteous justice over an implacable enemy who commits shameful atrocities against the innocent.
Camus or the Cure?
God be with all the British at this time, especially the rescuers and those who are seeking out the people who caused this tragedy.
Amazing that only two deaths so far. God has His hand on the British people and we Americans have your back.
LETS ROLL!
P.S. I hope the protesters will take off their clown suits, put on their bathrobes and burn their signs now. I hope they will now realize that this is in fact war.
Absolutely right Ivan. They will not win.
This is a terrible reminder we are in a world wide war of terror. When they hit us we need to hit them 10 times harder. Then they will get the message. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your country.
We have no better friends in the world than each other, and we're going to beat these bastards together.
All the news networks live video are available on the link below. BBC and Sky News from England, plus FOX News, ABC, MSNBC, CBS, CNN and C-SPAN
MadIvan
I have enjoyed your input here for several years. I think you have had some valuable input, good analysis, and great reporting.
However, I have to disagree about sending nukes to the middle east. Instead, I think every mosque in the US and UK should be reduced to rubble within 24 hours. The muslim scum should be returned to their "homeland" and effectively "interned" there. This scum should be allowed to live in peace in the desert. I think that is where they belong.
We should not try to destroy their "homeland". We should just insure they stay there. Forget the idea that every subhuman piece of crap born on earth has the right to migrate anywhere he wants.
Ivan my deepest condolences and sympathy for you and yours and all of our friends in London. God Bless London, God Bless England today and always.
.
Everytime a thread on the British happens, I just end up posting "I love the Brits"
Today, I really feel it. Our best allies, our dearest friends, our family. This is just too dreadful to believe.
They won't realize this is war. They are living in a fantasy world where everything is perfect.
What we here in the States have to realize is that the Middle-Easterners are fighting a Holy War against us, that is why they are so fanatical. When we realize that, we will be better able to control it.
That does not mean panties for their heads either.........
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