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."
Dear MadIvan,
I was horrified to see this on the news this morning. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of the British people and especially to those who were in the line of attack and their families and friends.
This evil act must not stand unpunished.
Our prayers are with you all.
saveliberty
I told you, shut the hell up. I don't remember arseholes like you going on at New Yorkers about their gun laws on 9/11.
Shut the flipping hell up.
Ivan
Well placed bombs will do that. Hoping terrorism is not the case here.
Sir Winston Churchill
We are all Londonerd today!
Pray hard!
Our prayers for you, dear FRiend. America will stand with you and do ANYTHING, anything at all, to help you.
My comment was not ment to inflame. Sorry you took it that way. I have nothing but hatred for anyone who will indiscriminatly blow up buildings, cars, buses, etc for whatever reason. To kill innocent lives is evil of the worst sort.
We do have emergency plans in place. Your attempt to be funny is not appreciated.
Ivan
Thanks for the post of Churchill's words. Have made copies to take to work, as a reminder to us all. God bless.
Watching, waiting, and praying...
There's two different areas of attack - the subway and the double-decker busses.
My prayers to you and to your countrymen.
Your comment is out of line, out of place and unwelcome. When 9/11 happened, my colleagues and I supported you. When 7/7 happens, your first instinct is to criticise our gun laws? Who the hell are you?
As I said, shut up.
Ivan
Thank you!
From elation over the Olympics to this, in a matter of a few hours.
Unreal.
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