FOUR BOMBS STRIKE CENTRAL LONDON
7 July 2005
8:51 am: Device explodes, killing seven on train near Liverpool St. Station...
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| 8:56 am: Device explodes, killing 21 on train between Russell Sq., King's Cross Stations... |
| 9:17 am: Device explodes, killing seven on train in Edgware Station... |
| 9:47 am: Device explodes on upper deck of number 30 bus at Tavistock Sq., tearing top off bus, killing at least two people... |
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This morning's rush hour in London was interrupted by a series of apparently coordinated bomb attacks on the Underground trains and Metropolitan bus system. Four bomb blasts hit central London's transportation system. Three bombs exploded on London Underground trains —at or near Edgware Rd., King's Cross and Aldgate stations—; one exploded on the upper level of a double-decker bus at Tavistock Sq, near Russell Sq. in the historic Bloomsbury neighborhood. The earliest reports attributed the first explosions to an extreme power surge in the Underground train system.
CNN reported "double-digit fatalities" at King's Cross Station, while many media sources were still citing the early figure of two known fatalities. A previously unknown "secret" group claimed responsibility, said it represents Al Qaeda's "jihad in Europe", and demanded Italy and Denmark pull troops out of Iraq. The Metropolitan Police say they are treating the incident as a terrorist attack, but do not believe the web-posted claim of responsibility is authentic.
Map of locations, description of events surrounding each blast [BBC]: Click here |
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According to the BBC World Service, within three hours of the attacks, all major London hospitals were reported full. At least 700 have been wounded, and Scotland Yard has confirmed 37 deaths as of 5pm London time. World leaders began condemning the attacks early, and the UN Security Council passed a unanimous resolution condemning the attacks. G8 leaders declared a united front, pledged to work together to protect Western values, individual freedoms, international peace and security.
Muslim groups were also firm in their condemnation of the attacks: the Muslim Council of Britain issued a statement condemning the bombings, saying "these evil deeds make victims of us all." Along with the MCB, muslim groups across Britain and the world condemned the attacks, calling for calm, civility and cooperation with authorities seeking to ensure the stability of democratic systems against violence and murder. These groups included Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Islamic Council of Victoria (Australia), and other community, rights and religious organizations.
Bertrand Delanoë, the Mayor of Paris, has been quoted as saying "at this moment, we are all Londoners," one day after Paris lost the Olympic bid for 2012 to London. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said "there is no separate peace to be made with terrorists" and played down assertions that the war in Iraq may be "fuelling" the extremism of Al-Qaeda-type terrorists. She called on the international community to support efforts to push reform and work for "a new Middle East". President Vicent Fox of Mexico suggested that collaboration between nations in a climate of international diplomacy can "close the door on terrorism".
As of 6pm London time, the Guardian newspaper had posted on its website estimates that the number of wounded may reach 1,000. The Underground remains inactive, buses in central London are not in service, and major highways are experiencing extreme gridlock. The British government is advising people not to travel to central London, to avoid worsening the general transit collapse. Theatres in the West End have cancelled their performances to reduce the pressure on the city's transit and security workers. Some report seeing individual travelers leaving cabs and towing their luggage to Heathrow airport on foot. [For more: BBC]
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