[From the diaries by susanhu.} At least 3 reports of explosions on buses in London, and also disruption of the Tube system. One double decker bus has been described as ‘torn apart’ by an explosion.
An ITN live broadcast described a major attack to cause maximum chaos, and minimal loss of life. Not like Madrid.
There are reports of injuries.
I’ll update as I find more information.
Update [2005-7-7 6:9:11 by zander]: – This is a major event. First explosions happened at 8:49 local time. The entire mobile phone network has ground to a halt, while people contact loved ones.
Many people were trapped underground as the tube system stopped. Witnesses have described a flash and a sudden outage that stopped trains. There is some uncertainty about the cause.
Update [2005-7-7 8:11:56 by zander]:
There has a been a series of coordinated explosions in London. There has been very little confirmation but… reports are between 4 and 7 explosions in the underground tube system, and 1 to 3 bus explosions. 2 are confirmed dead, though that number will surely rise.
Timeline (props to ManEegee)
CNN timeline via Sofia News Agency
12:00 p.m.: British Prime Minister Tony Blair says the “barbaric” London blasts are terrorist attacks and were designed to coincide with the G8 summit in Scotland. He will return to London.
11:35 a.m.: London police chief said there are “indications of explosives” at one of the blast sites.
11:15 Police say there were at least six explosions in London.
11:15 European Union commissioner for justice and security affairs Franco Frattini tells reporters in Rome that the blasts in London are terrorist attacks.
11:10 Police say they have reports of two deaths and nine injuries at Aldgate East subway station.
11:07 All bus services have been suspended in London, news agencies report.
10.57 British Prime Minister Tony Blair will stay at the G8 summit in Scotland but says he will speak at midday.
10:47 Home Secretary Charles Clarke says multiple London blasts cause “terrible injuries.”
10:46 Police report serious casualties in London explosions, but no deaths confirmed.
10:46 Witness to Britain’s Sky News says second blast heard in Russell Square.
10:45 Police sources say a bomb is suspected in London bus explosion.
10:33 Police confirm at least three explosions on buses in central London.
10:25 Police confirm explosion on bus in central London in the area around Russell Square.
10:24 Scotland Yard says “multiple explosions” rock London.
10:14 News agencies report a bus has exploded in central London.
10:02 Scotland Yard says it is dealing with a “major incident.”
09:53 Metronet says the entire London subway network has been shut down.
Police says incidents are reported at the Aldgate station near the Liverpool Street railway terminal, Edgware Road and King’s Cross in north London, Old Street in the financial district and Russell Square in central London, near the British Museum.
09:41 London Underground reports a second explosion at a subway station in northwest London.
09:33 Witnesses say London Underground says services are suspended after “power surge.”
09:27 Metronet, the subway maintenance company, says power surge has caused explosion in London tube station.
09:25 Police say “there are walking wounded” in London’s financial district.
09:15 British Transport Police say a explosion is reported in London’s financial district in the area near Liverpool railway station.
Update [2005-7-7 8:30:18 by zander]: There is currently a rescue operation underway at King’s Cross Station.
Update [2005-7-7 9:7:36 by zander]: Police are reassuring the city that the situation is under control. They are not speculating at this point on the possibility of a suicide bomber being responsible for the bus bombing.
Update [2005-7-7 9:26:0 by zander]: Wikipedia is all over it.
And Europhobia has blogged every moment of it.
Update [2005-7-7 9:33:22 by zander]: A British station is reporting 45 dead – unconfirmed by other sources.
Update [2005-7-7 10:38:39 by zander]: From a press conference held by British Emergency Services.At least 33 confirmed dead.
DAC Brian Paddick
Police casualty bureau is open for inquiries…
At 8:51 incident at Mooregate(?), confirmed explosion inside the tunnel – 7 confirmed fatalities.
8:56 incident at King’s Cross station – 21 confirmed fatalities.
9:17 on train in Edgeware Station, blew a hole in another train – 3 trains involved– 5 fatalities.
9:47 bus explosion – no confirmed numbers of fatalities….
4 devices involved… police service had no warning– no claims of responsibility.
DCC Andy Trotter
The underground will be down until tomorrow – buses running later today, overground closed…. Streets closed.
There are a number of bomb scares…. Doing their best to open up the system. Londoners try to make their way home….
Ambulance service….
Treated 45 with serious or critical injuries – amputations, burns, etc
300 with minor injuries – smoke inhalation, lacerations, bruises, etc.
over 100 ambulance vehicles served many scenes, asking the public to not call emergency unless they have life-threatening need
There is no one still trapped, the system was cleared within an hour or two.
