Multiple blasts paralyse London

BBC News ^ | July 7, 2005 | Staff

[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."

[radiohead]

Thinking of you and your fellow Brits.

[hansel]

My prayers are with you, MadIvan.

[marty60]

HUMMMMM, isn't 7 the magic number for the Islamofascist brainless.

[Mr. Silverback]

When I heard the news, the first thing I thought of was the thread a couple of years ago where you and i were discussing whther you should carry a gas mask on your Tube trips. I'm glad you're safe. What fools bin Laden's stooges are. They killed almost 3,000 New Yorkers--New York, a city that hasn't known war for two centuries--and it just ticked us off. And they expect the people who lived through--no, shone through--the Blitz to be moved by a few dead and many injured? The death toll now stands at two, and though it is sure to climb, my thought at this moment is "My God, I'd be willing to bet there wasn't a single night during the Blitz with only two dead. Who do these guys think they're pushing around?"

I hear Edward R. Murrow's voice..."This..is London." But the only similarity between what Murrow witnessed and this horror is the resolve of a Perime Minister, the bravery of a people, and the inevitable demise of evil thugs.

You were with us at the first and we are with you to the last. Currahee and stay safe.

[SevenofNine]

Yeah I check out CNN AND MSNBC right now they are scare B***Hs LOL!

[marty60]

Absolutely. War is Hell. And it's purpose is to break the will or kill the enemy. It's just that simple and that harsh.

[marty60]

Is that the name of the doc"9-11"?

[Mad Dawgg]

I say we start by taking out every terrorist we have in custody. Take them to the streets of London and hang them all. Hang them near the blast areas and put little placards on each of them simpling stating their true nature. The placards should read Islamic Terrorist Coward.

I don't care what age or sex they are. If they are caught, hang them. Make sure you film the proceedings and show it on every channel daily.

[6SJ7]

The left will complain, "if you [and the government] had not supported the United States, the Islamics would never have become so angered with us". And blah, blah, blah.

Sad, but true. Of course, if we follow the appeasement 'strategy' of the Left, first the terrorists would demand we pull out of the Middle east, next that we drop all support to Israel, and then they would demand our wholesale 'conversion' to Islam. Appeasement is the path to slavery.

[MadIvan]

I'd do better than that - I'd re-open the chopping block at the Tower of London. It would be a boost to the tourist trade too.

Regards, Ivan

[Mad Dawgg]

"I'd do better than that - I'd re-open the chopping block at the Tower of London."

Ahh yes, I am forgetting my British history.

Heads on Spikes!

Even better!

Stay safe my friend!

[Ditter]

Glad you are OK Ivan. Do you think this will make the average Brit hate the terrorists or George Bush more? Keep us informed.

[Frank_Discussion]

I think your new name for today is irishdildo. Jerkwad!

[SevenofNine]

YEAH I forgot about Tower of London can you still reopen Tower of London you might need sharpen the chopping block how long it been since last prisoner got whack over there since Henry the Eighth days LOL!

HELLL that be awsome tourist boost to Britian open that bad boy up

[MadIvan]

I don't think people hate George Bush for this...it'd be damn silly to hate him for something that other people did. The sense I get is people just want the terrorists to sod off and die.

Regards, Ivan

[dixie sass]

I agree with you about the numbers and their superstitions. But I don't think they would win if the G8 went home, better to be safe than sorry.

They might have been planning this for a long time. Most probably planned for several cities. Wouldn't be surprised to hear that another city has been hit before the day is over.

Security can be in visible force but if they want to strike, it won't stop them from doing it. They use humans as bombs just like the VC did in 'nam. It doesn't mean a thing to them to commit suicide, does it?

Car bombs and human bombs. They will strike the easy targets, schools, traffic tie-ups, sidewalk cafes, the places that people aren't looking for them to hit and while we concentrate on that, someone else will get the bigger targets like Prime Ministers, Presidents, any head of state.

France thinks they are safe, but I seem to remember that Orly and Paris has been hit before by terrorists.

[marty60]

This is what WAR is about. As Patton said " (Para)not for you to die for your country, but to make the other ba****d die for his."

Every man /woman we lose in this battle is not good, we need them. As much as I hate the thought of nuking a country, it is going to come to that. And when our young people come home we must LOVE and COMFORT them.

[MEG33]

Indeed..I have posted this quote you gave on another site..
"What kind of a people do they think we are? Is it possible that they do not realize that we shall never cease to persevere against them until they have been taught a lesson which they and the world will never forget?" - Winston Churchill

God be with you.

[Ditter]

My daughter was living in London going to school on 9/11. At first everyone was shocked and very sympathetic towards American but before the year was out the worm turned and she experienced a lot of anti American feelings. This was a shock to her because she thought everyone loved Americans.

[Frank_Discussion]

Howdy from Texas, Ivan.

My heart goes out to you and your countrymen in the aftermath of this. May you get the cowardly bastards, milk them for info, then kill them.