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."
From the BBC:
Tony Blair has said terrorists will not succeed in destroying "our values and our way of life" after blasts hit London's transport network.
The prime minister said it was reasonably clear the blasts were a terrorist attack designed to coincide with the G8 summit in Gleneagles.
He said he was flying back to London to hear reports from police and emergency services face-to-face.
But the G8 summit would continue in his absence, he said in a TV address.
London is one of the most delightful cities I've ever visited. England is one of the most beautiful countries I've ever visited. The British People are friendly, polite to a fault, and just a pleasure to be with.
We've been talking about a return trip, but I think we'll take a serious look at going back sooner rather than later.
Balanced Equation
You're absolutely right, Ivan.
They can't win, and they won't win.
Prayers for your countrymen in these trying times.
Panties for their stumps where their head used to be!
Here in the US people are calling in C-Span saying these b*st*rds need to be annihilated.
That is what it will take. Completely destroy these terrorists.
Take care of yourself, and your countrymen!
Glad to see a post from you - I was going to look for you online as soon as I got into the office to make sure you're okay. I haven't even started to read the thread yet, but I've been listening to news radio since the alarm went off at 5 Eastern. Is the time difference 5 hours or 6?
Our prayers are with you.
Thank you for your concern; I'm fine. It's a 5 hour time difference from the East Coast.
Regards, Ivan
“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender... ”
- - Winston Churchill
Prayers for our brothers and sisters in London. We will stand with you as you have with us.
Allow me to expound on your sentiments with my version "The only proper response to the terrorists is to fight their extermination."
Our prayers are with all of you....
Here, here...
Amen!
Letting you know we're thinking about you.....Take care.
I am so sorry to hear of the evil committed in London. You and your country will be in our prayers. We will stand behind you.
Ivan,
I have enjoyed your posts and your comments on FR for a long time. Thank you for all you did before today, all you do today, and all you will do in the future. We all share your grief and anger. And we will stand by your side, as you and your country have faithfully stood by ours. While I grieve for the cost of fighting this good fight, I am very glad to have friends and allies like you. The Islamists made a big mistake and miscalculation on 9/11...they awakened a sleeping giant to their threat. They just compounded their error by attacking the single most resolute population on the planet. I am sorry you suffered this blow, but I am glad that we are on the same side as you. The Brits have demonstrated time and again the courage of their convictions. The Islamists will rue this day.
Regards,
Blank
Our prayers are with you and your countrymen, Ivan.
American stands firmly at Britain's side, Ivan. Dirty ragheads. They will die.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.