London Under Attack
London Shuts Subway After Blasts, Evacuates Stations (Update5)
July 7 (Bloomberg) -- London closed its public transport system and evacuated subway stations after six explosions in the financial district and center of the capital caused casualties and at least eight deaths.
Five explosive devices were found on the subway network, an unidentified firefighter said. Blasts occurred at financial district Underground stations including Liverpool Street, Moorgate and Aldgate East. Police said explosions were also reported at Kings Cross and Edgware Road stations in central London. A bus exploded near Russell Square, killed at least eight, a firefighter said. Scotland Yard wouldn't comment on the possible causes.
``Health services are in support to deal with the terrible injuries that there have been,'' Home Secretary Charles Clarke told reporters in London. ``I want to express sympathy on behalf of the whole government to the families and friends of those who have been injured,'' Clarke said.
Liverpool Street, Aldgate, Edgware Road and King's Cross are among stations evacuated. Prime Minister Tony Blair, in Gleneagles, Scotland, for the Group of Eight summit that starts today, is being informed of the situation, a spokesman at his office said. Bus services across London were suspended. UBS AG evacuated one of its buildings near Liverpool Street. About 320,000 people commute to the financial area to work each day.
``I heard a big bang,'' said Loyita Worley, 49, who was traveling between Aldgate and Liverpool Street and had soot around her nose and mouth. ``The lights went out on the train and ash began to fall. I smelt a burning smell. Some people were panicking and I heard people shouting and crying for help.''
Stocks, Pound Slide
European stocks and U.S. stock-index futures fell after the blasts. The U.K. pound, the dollar and bond yields also slid.
The G-8 summit began in Gleneagles today and is scheduled to last until tomorrow. The leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy Japan, Russia and the U.S. are attending the summit to discuss the economy, aid to Africa and climate change. Today's explosions follow celebrations in London yesterday after the city won its bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
There are about 1,000 London Metropolitan Police officers on duty at the G-8 summit, said Ruth Copperthwaite, a spokeswoman for Scotland's Tayside Police. There are no plans to send them back early at the moment, she said.
London residents should ``stay exactly where you are until the situation clears,'' said Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ian Blair in a statement. ``The most serious casualties are already in treatment.''
A spokesman said London Fire Brigade was called to an explosion at Liverpool Street and blasts at ``a number'' of locations. A police spokesman said a blast occurred just before 9 a.m. local time at Aldgate station.
`Panicking'
London Ambulance Service initially sent four vehicles to Liverpool Street, a spokesman said. The service then sent ambulances to other locations in central London. ``There was panicking inside,'' said Samantha Fletcher, who was stuck in a train for about an hour between Cannon Street and Tower Hill stations. Offices around Aldgate are being shut.
The British Broadcasting Corp. said a power surge may have affected underground trains.
To contact the reporter on this story:
Tom Kohn in London tkohn@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: July 7, 2005 06:52 EDT
Link in headline
July 7 (Bloomberg) -- London closed its public transport system and evacuated subway stations after six explosions in the financial district and center of the capital caused casualties and at least eight deaths.
Five explosive devices were found on the subway network, an unidentified firefighter said. Blasts occurred at financial district Underground stations including Liverpool Street, Moorgate and Aldgate East. Police said explosions were also reported at Kings Cross and Edgware Road stations in central London. A bus exploded near Russell Square, killed at least eight, a firefighter said. Scotland Yard wouldn't comment on the possible causes.
``Health services are in support to deal with the terrible injuries that there have been,'' Home Secretary Charles Clarke told reporters in London. ``I want to express sympathy on behalf of the whole government to the families and friends of those who have been injured,'' Clarke said.
Liverpool Street, Aldgate, Edgware Road and King's Cross are among stations evacuated. Prime Minister Tony Blair, in Gleneagles, Scotland, for the Group of Eight summit that starts today, is being informed of the situation, a spokesman at his office said. Bus services across London were suspended. UBS AG evacuated one of its buildings near Liverpool Street. About 320,000 people commute to the financial area to work each day.
``I heard a big bang,'' said Loyita Worley, 49, who was traveling between Aldgate and Liverpool Street and had soot around her nose and mouth. ``The lights went out on the train and ash began to fall. I smelt a burning smell. Some people were panicking and I heard people shouting and crying for help.''
Stocks, Pound Slide
European stocks and U.S. stock-index futures fell after the blasts. The U.K. pound, the dollar and bond yields also slid.
The G-8 summit began in Gleneagles today and is scheduled to last until tomorrow. The leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy Japan, Russia and the U.S. are attending the summit to discuss the economy, aid to Africa and climate change. Today's explosions follow celebrations in London yesterday after the city won its bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
There are about 1,000 London Metropolitan Police officers on duty at the G-8 summit, said Ruth Copperthwaite, a spokeswoman for Scotland's Tayside Police. There are no plans to send them back early at the moment, she said.
London residents should ``stay exactly where you are until the situation clears,'' said Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ian Blair in a statement. ``The most serious casualties are already in treatment.''
A spokesman said London Fire Brigade was called to an explosion at Liverpool Street and blasts at ``a number'' of locations. A police spokesman said a blast occurred just before 9 a.m. local time at Aldgate station.
`Panicking'
London Ambulance Service initially sent four vehicles to Liverpool Street, a spokesman said. The service then sent ambulances to other locations in central London. ``There was panicking inside,'' said Samantha Fletcher, who was stuck in a train for about an hour between Cannon Street and Tower Hill stations. Offices around Aldgate are being shut.
The British Broadcasting Corp. said a power surge may have affected underground trains.
To contact the reporter on this story:
Tom Kohn in London tkohn@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: July 7, 2005 06:52 EDT
Link in headline
posted by Christy at 7:19 AM
2 Comments:
OHHHH liitle tony tony
I dont think this will have the reaction you want or even expect
The people of your nation are sick of your lying ways as well.
when you sell your soul to a bush try not to sell out your nation as well,, oh thats right TOO LATE
P.S. Downing Street Memos
i wonder if tony will also order up some minivans to fight off terrorists
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