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."
My prayers are with all of you, MadIvan. I pray a great uprising against all terrorist nations and that this will be a catalyst for Europe to begin to change their minds about the islamofascists and blow them out of their countries before the islamofascists blow their countries up. God bless you. Maryxxx
For certain!
I must say it bothers me that Al Qaeda was able to plan and conduct the attacks. Why did NO ONE have a clue that this kind of thing is to be expected when there's a summit of global leaders going on anywhere?
Bush is on camera now. Hard to hear because of other noises.
Personally, I think that is the only answer to rid the world of extremist and those who teach it.
Agreed! Too much PC, too much compassion in the wrong areas, has ruined our nation and the rest of our world as we know it. Damn the socialistic thinking.
There is definitely no shortage of tea.
Good tea, yes. Tea, no.
Regards, Ivan
When will be ban the islamic mosque and say enough is enough?? They can sort out the good ones from the bad ones over in their own country of origin. The US banned the KKK from torturing and killing blacks. What is the difference?
Good pick.
I think that more of our effort was on the obvious target, the G8 meeting itself.
Regards, Ivan
Ivan--- I just heard about this on the news. Our prayers are with you and your nation. This is abominable.
These people just don't know when to quit... (actually should never have started) -- I pray everyone's resolve to resist them will be strengthened with each passing day, regardless of whether or not they succeed in further attacks anywhere.
Hear! Hear!
"No wonder of it: sheer plod makes plow down sillion shine" -Gerard Manley Hopkins
I've lived in England and know the British people well. The British are as resolute and imperturbable as the Spanish are feckless and panicky.
Terrorists shall learn a hard lesson dearly.
NEVER FORGET
Thanks. President Bush has already had a briefing regarding
security measures back home.
In between here, I had a meeting with my managing director and the owner of my company...and we're carrying on with work. This is in the background, but things are going on.
I do expect the London economy will be hit - as such, I would ask our American friends to pay us a visit. Just as you asked us to come to New York.
Regards, Ivan
My prayers for you and the students. I understand the fear. We had a young lady from our church on a missions trip to the Ivory Coast in the heaviest of the fighting there. She came home safely and I will pray the same for your group.
Impressive, powerful statement by the mayor of London.
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