Posted on 07/07/2005 9:50:47 AM PDT by yoe
London: In the bloodiest terror attack in London in three decades, suspected Islamic militants on Thursday carried out coordinated blasts in underground stations and a bus killing more than 33 people and injuring nearly 300 of which 45 were serious. Sky television, however, said at least 45 people were killed in the explosions.
Thirty three people died in the explosions at three stations and there were unspecified number of fatalities in the blast in the double-decker bus that ripped through its roof, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Metropolitan police, Brian Paddick, told a crowded press conference.
A visibly shaken Prime Minister Tony Blair, hosting the G-8 summit of the world's richest nations at Gleneagles in Scotland, said it was "reasonably clear" that there has been a series of terrorist attacks.
He said it was "particularly barbaric" that the attack was timed to coincide with the G-8 summit which is also being attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"Each of the countries around the table have some experience of the effects of terrorism and all the leaders... share our complete resolution to defeat this terrorism," Blair, who rushed to London to take stock of the situation, said in a statement.
A previously unknown al-Qaeda-linked group claimed the responsibility for the attacks. Italian news agency ANSA said that Secret Group of Al-Qaeda's Jihad in Europe in a website posting also warned Italy and Denmark to withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
However, Paddick said police have not received any claim of responsibility. "We don't know whether it is a genuine claim. We are looking at all leads."
Paddick said seven people were killed in the first explosion in an underground railway tunnel near Moorgate on the edge of London's financial district, 21 in a second near King's Cross and another five at Edgware Road station in West London. There were fatalities in the explosion in the bus at Tavistock Square.
He said nearly 300 people were injured in the explosions of which 45 were serious. The injured were being treated at various hospitals.
The explosions in the three stations occurred within a span of 26 minutes while the fourth blast in the bus took place half-an-hour later during the morning rush hour.
Describing the situation as "fluid", Paddick said the underground transport system of London will remain closed on Thursday and is likely to restart operations on Friday.
Immediately after the terror strikes, authorities shut down the entire underground network and bus services and asked people to stay wherever they were till the situation was brought under control. However, airports operated normally.
We must come together now as never before and stand as one against this truly determined and horrific enemy – the Muslim Extremists who is the face of al Qeada.
Heads Up America, we’re now seeing the face of this ‘thinking’ enemy who as been very successful in dividing Americans and keeping them divided. This is not about President Bush, he has been right all along. This is about our nation; can we and will we move as one force against terrorism now?
33+ more individuals killed in the U.K. bombings than at that "gulag" known as G'itmo...
Aint that the truth. I'm sick of the Rats complaining about Bush "dividing America." If they can't rally around the flag to fight against monsters who murder people on the way to work they don't deserve to call themselves American.
Anybody else catch the number 19 reference in the London attacks? Add up the numbers in the date 7/7/05 and you get 19. Muslims and their superstitions, go figure.
Bush's "crime" is that he decided to tackle a massive job: creating fundamental, long-term change in the backward cess-pit that is the Middle East. He didn't settle for a head-in-the-sand patchwork of diplomatic band-aids and procrastination. This is war, you friggin' Rats--and they fired the first shot. Deal with it.
Plus the fact they haven't attack the U.S. since 9/11. It's unbelievable to me that they have not attempted to do so. We must be killing or capturing them. And thanks to Dickie Durbin, they're getting three squares and a spotless Koran.
Plus the fact they haven't attack the U.S. since 9/11. It's unbelievable to me that they have not attempted to do so. We must be killing or capturing them. And thanks to Dickie Durbin, they're getting three squares and a spotless Koran.
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