Post by God on Jul 8, 2005 12:21:57 GMT -5
From CNN.com:
LONDON, England (CNN) -- More than 50 people were killed in a series of terrorist bombings on London's transport system, police said Friday as they warned that additional attacks were possible.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ian Blair said police were having "great difficulty" determining the number of deaths because of the damage at some of the blast sites.
One train "still contains a number of bodies that have not been retrieved," Blair told reporters.
Police expect the death toll from Thursday's bombings to rise, but not above 100, Blair said.
Thirteen people were killed when a bomb exploded on a double-decker bus in central London, Blair said, adding that all the bodies from that explosion have been recovered.
Blasts at four sites -- the bus and three subway trains -- also injured 700 people, and a massive manhunt was under way for those responsible for London's bloodiest day since World War II.
Blair said more than one person carried out the attacks, which had "all the hallmarks of al Qaeda," although he said there was "absolutely nothing to suggest" they were suicide bombings.
Nothing could be ruled out, however, he said. (Police update)
Blair pledged authorities would "bend every sinew" to find and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.
"It is the implacable resolve of the Met Police Service to track down those who are responsible for these terrible deaths," said Blair.
The train bombs were likely placed on the floors of carriages, Deputy Police Commissioner Andy Hayman said. Police are not sure if the bus bomb was placed on the floor or a seat.
"Initially, the forensic investigation suggests that each device used had less than 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of high explosives," Hayman said.
Half of the 700 wounded were treated on the scene and the rest were taken to hospitals, Blair said. One person died after reaching hospital. Blair said 100 people remained in hospitals overnight, and 22 had serious injuries.
Hayman appealed for patience as the investigation proceeds, saying, "Our people are working under the most extreme circumstances."
Near the Russell Square Underground station, the scene of the second blast, police still haven't gotten near the carriage because of fears about the stability of the tunnel, "vermin and other dangerous substances," Hayman said.
Police have confirmed that 21 people died in that blast.
Blair said there were no victims still alive in the Underground system.
Earlier Friday, Britain's top law enforcement official said police were searching for the bombers before they had a chance to strike again. (Search for clues)
"We have to have ... maximum consideration of the risk of another attack, and that's why our total effort today is focused on identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice," Home Secretary Charles Clarke told BBC radio.
"That is of course the No. 1 preoccupation that the police and security services have at this moment," he said.
"The fact is, we're looking for a very small number of very evil needles in a very large haystack, which is the city of London," Clarke said.
He said the government was taking seriously a claim of responsibility on the Internet from a group calling itself "The Group of al Qaeda of Jihad Organization in Europe." The authenticity of the claim could not be verified. (Group's claim; Analysis)
Clarke also said police were looking "very closely" at the possibility that one or more suicide bombers were involved.
A passenger who survived the bus blast said he saw an "extremely agitated" man rummaging in a bag just seconds before the explosion, the UK's Press Association reported.
The bus blast occurred about 30 minutes after the last train explosion.
Investigators found fragments of timing devices that may have been used in the three train blasts, but no such fragments have been found in the bus explosion, U.S. law enforcement sources told CNN.
"The cause of the bus explosion right now is problematic. We don't know yet what we're dealing with as the cause there," one law enforcement official told CNN.
However, police commissioner Blair said investigators have found no evidence of timing devices "because we haven't reached that point in the investigation."
Blair said there were no warnings ahead of the blasts, and he defended a decision to relax Britain's alert level in recent months.
"There is nothing to suggest that intelligence has been missed in any way," he said.
Brian Paddick, deputy assistant police commissioner, said investigators' first priority is to examine forensic evidence and video footage from the transport system's extensive surveillance system. (CCTV clues)
Lighter than normal traffic
Most bus and some Underground services had been restored by Friday morning, but police were urging people not to come into the British capital unless necessary.
Traffic appeared much lighter than normal, with many Tube stations, buses and road nearly empty.
Some people were walking, cycling or taking taxis, but those who did venture into trains and buses said they had little choice.
"I was scared, but what can you do?" Raj Varatharaj, 32, told AP as he emerged from an Underground station. "This is the fastest way for me to get to work. You just have to carry on."
Terry McAndrew, who was at Holborn station in central London near one of the bombed trains, said he was anticipating a normal workday.
"You can't give in to terrorists," he told AP. "We don't need to be put down by it."
Bus route No. 30 was full of commuters Friday morning, despite the previous day's blast that tore through a bus on the same route. Large screens were erected to shield the wreckage of the bus from onlookers. (Full story)
Meanwhile, British newspapers marked London's bloodiest peacetime attack with somber front pages that struck a defiant tone. (Press review)
In Britain and across the world, Arabs and Muslims expressed outrage at the terrorist attacks, with the dominant viewpoint summed up by one person who wrote on a Web site, "Enough ... enough." (Arab, Muslim reaction)
And stocks opened higher in Europe Friday, regaining some of the ground they lost on Thursday. (Europe stocks)
Queen Elizabeth II visited some of the wounded at Royal London Hospital, where she said the terrorists "will not change our way of life."
Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, went to St. Mary's Hospital to visit victims of the bombings.
"What I can never get over is the resilience of the British people who have set us all a fantastic example of how to react to these kinds of tragedies." he said. (Royal response)
'Waiting to die'
The four blasts went off within an hour at the height of morning rush hour. (Timeline)
The first explosion rocked the Underground's Circle Line between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East about 8:51 a.m., killing at least seven people, Scotland Yard said.
A second blast followed four minutes later on the Piccadilly Line, between King's Cross and Russell Square, killing at least 21.
"We were all trapped like sardines waiting to die," said Angelo Power, survived the second blast. "I honestly thought I was going to die, as did everyone else." (Eyewitness accounts)
The third blast, 9:17 a.m., blew a hole in the wall of a train car at the Edgware Road station, on the Circle Line. That explosion killed at least seven.
Thirteen people died in the final blast at 9:47, when a fourth explosion blew the top off the No. 30 bus at Tavistock Place.
Ambulance services spokesman Russell Smith said emergency workers treated patients with serious or critical injuries, including "burns, amputations, chest and blast injuries and fractured limbs."
Leaders react
British Prime Minister Tony Blair blamed Islamic extremists for the morning rush-hour attacks and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
"We will not be intimidated," the prime minister said after returning briefly to London from Scotland, where he was hosting the G8 summit. (Blair text)
Blair closed the summit Friday, saying, "We speak today in the shadow of terrorism, but it will not obscure what we came here to achieve. (G8 summit; Special report)
Earlier, Blair read a joint statement issued by the G8 leaders in the wake of the attacks. (World reaction; G8 statement)
"We will not yield to these people, will not yield to the terrorists," U.S. President George W. Bush said from the G8. "We will find them; we will bring them to justice." (Bush text)
The blasts spurred U.S. authorities to boost security in major American cities, particularly those with passenger rail systems. (U.S. response)
In Spain, Queen Sofia and thousands of other Spaniards stood silently at noon Friday to express solidarity with the London victims in a rare demonstration over a terrorist attack that did not occur on Spanish soil, officials said. (Spanish solidarity)
London Mayor Ken Livingstone said the blasts were "mass murder" carried out by terrorists bent on "indiscriminate ... slaughter." He spoke from Singapore, where an announcement that London will host the 2012 Olympic Games inspired celebrations back home a day earlier. (Full story)
Unless you live under a rock, you've heard of this alread.
Despite this, America still holds the record for "Worst Shit Done By Terrorists."
LONDON, England (CNN) -- More than 50 people were killed in a series of terrorist bombings on London's transport system, police said Friday as they warned that additional attacks were possible.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ian Blair said police were having "great difficulty" determining the number of deaths because of the damage at some of the blast sites.
One train "still contains a number of bodies that have not been retrieved," Blair told reporters.
Police expect the death toll from Thursday's bombings to rise, but not above 100, Blair said.
Thirteen people were killed when a bomb exploded on a double-decker bus in central London, Blair said, adding that all the bodies from that explosion have been recovered.
Blasts at four sites -- the bus and three subway trains -- also injured 700 people, and a massive manhunt was under way for those responsible for London's bloodiest day since World War II.
Blair said more than one person carried out the attacks, which had "all the hallmarks of al Qaeda," although he said there was "absolutely nothing to suggest" they were suicide bombings.
Nothing could be ruled out, however, he said. (Police update)
Blair pledged authorities would "bend every sinew" to find and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.
"It is the implacable resolve of the Met Police Service to track down those who are responsible for these terrible deaths," said Blair.
The train bombs were likely placed on the floors of carriages, Deputy Police Commissioner Andy Hayman said. Police are not sure if the bus bomb was placed on the floor or a seat.
"Initially, the forensic investigation suggests that each device used had less than 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of high explosives," Hayman said.
Half of the 700 wounded were treated on the scene and the rest were taken to hospitals, Blair said. One person died after reaching hospital. Blair said 100 people remained in hospitals overnight, and 22 had serious injuries.
Hayman appealed for patience as the investigation proceeds, saying, "Our people are working under the most extreme circumstances."
Near the Russell Square Underground station, the scene of the second blast, police still haven't gotten near the carriage because of fears about the stability of the tunnel, "vermin and other dangerous substances," Hayman said.
Police have confirmed that 21 people died in that blast.
Blair said there were no victims still alive in the Underground system.
Earlier Friday, Britain's top law enforcement official said police were searching for the bombers before they had a chance to strike again. (Search for clues)
"We have to have ... maximum consideration of the risk of another attack, and that's why our total effort today is focused on identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice," Home Secretary Charles Clarke told BBC radio.
"That is of course the No. 1 preoccupation that the police and security services have at this moment," he said.
"The fact is, we're looking for a very small number of very evil needles in a very large haystack, which is the city of London," Clarke said.
He said the government was taking seriously a claim of responsibility on the Internet from a group calling itself "The Group of al Qaeda of Jihad Organization in Europe." The authenticity of the claim could not be verified. (Group's claim; Analysis)
Clarke also said police were looking "very closely" at the possibility that one or more suicide bombers were involved.
A passenger who survived the bus blast said he saw an "extremely agitated" man rummaging in a bag just seconds before the explosion, the UK's Press Association reported.
The bus blast occurred about 30 minutes after the last train explosion.
Investigators found fragments of timing devices that may have been used in the three train blasts, but no such fragments have been found in the bus explosion, U.S. law enforcement sources told CNN.
"The cause of the bus explosion right now is problematic. We don't know yet what we're dealing with as the cause there," one law enforcement official told CNN.
However, police commissioner Blair said investigators have found no evidence of timing devices "because we haven't reached that point in the investigation."
Blair said there were no warnings ahead of the blasts, and he defended a decision to relax Britain's alert level in recent months.
"There is nothing to suggest that intelligence has been missed in any way," he said.
Brian Paddick, deputy assistant police commissioner, said investigators' first priority is to examine forensic evidence and video footage from the transport system's extensive surveillance system. (CCTV clues)
Lighter than normal traffic
Most bus and some Underground services had been restored by Friday morning, but police were urging people not to come into the British capital unless necessary.
Traffic appeared much lighter than normal, with many Tube stations, buses and road nearly empty.
Some people were walking, cycling or taking taxis, but those who did venture into trains and buses said they had little choice.
"I was scared, but what can you do?" Raj Varatharaj, 32, told AP as he emerged from an Underground station. "This is the fastest way for me to get to work. You just have to carry on."
Terry McAndrew, who was at Holborn station in central London near one of the bombed trains, said he was anticipating a normal workday.
"You can't give in to terrorists," he told AP. "We don't need to be put down by it."
Bus route No. 30 was full of commuters Friday morning, despite the previous day's blast that tore through a bus on the same route. Large screens were erected to shield the wreckage of the bus from onlookers. (Full story)
Meanwhile, British newspapers marked London's bloodiest peacetime attack with somber front pages that struck a defiant tone. (Press review)
In Britain and across the world, Arabs and Muslims expressed outrage at the terrorist attacks, with the dominant viewpoint summed up by one person who wrote on a Web site, "Enough ... enough." (Arab, Muslim reaction)
And stocks opened higher in Europe Friday, regaining some of the ground they lost on Thursday. (Europe stocks)
Queen Elizabeth II visited some of the wounded at Royal London Hospital, where she said the terrorists "will not change our way of life."
Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, went to St. Mary's Hospital to visit victims of the bombings.
"What I can never get over is the resilience of the British people who have set us all a fantastic example of how to react to these kinds of tragedies." he said. (Royal response)
'Waiting to die'
The four blasts went off within an hour at the height of morning rush hour. (Timeline)
The first explosion rocked the Underground's Circle Line between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East about 8:51 a.m., killing at least seven people, Scotland Yard said.
A second blast followed four minutes later on the Piccadilly Line, between King's Cross and Russell Square, killing at least 21.
"We were all trapped like sardines waiting to die," said Angelo Power, survived the second blast. "I honestly thought I was going to die, as did everyone else." (Eyewitness accounts)
The third blast, 9:17 a.m., blew a hole in the wall of a train car at the Edgware Road station, on the Circle Line. That explosion killed at least seven.
Thirteen people died in the final blast at 9:47, when a fourth explosion blew the top off the No. 30 bus at Tavistock Place.
Ambulance services spokesman Russell Smith said emergency workers treated patients with serious or critical injuries, including "burns, amputations, chest and blast injuries and fractured limbs."
Leaders react
British Prime Minister Tony Blair blamed Islamic extremists for the morning rush-hour attacks and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
"We will not be intimidated," the prime minister said after returning briefly to London from Scotland, where he was hosting the G8 summit. (Blair text)
Blair closed the summit Friday, saying, "We speak today in the shadow of terrorism, but it will not obscure what we came here to achieve. (G8 summit; Special report)
Earlier, Blair read a joint statement issued by the G8 leaders in the wake of the attacks. (World reaction; G8 statement)
"We will not yield to these people, will not yield to the terrorists," U.S. President George W. Bush said from the G8. "We will find them; we will bring them to justice." (Bush text)
The blasts spurred U.S. authorities to boost security in major American cities, particularly those with passenger rail systems. (U.S. response)
In Spain, Queen Sofia and thousands of other Spaniards stood silently at noon Friday to express solidarity with the London victims in a rare demonstration over a terrorist attack that did not occur on Spanish soil, officials said. (Spanish solidarity)
London Mayor Ken Livingstone said the blasts were "mass murder" carried out by terrorists bent on "indiscriminate ... slaughter." He spoke from Singapore, where an announcement that London will host the 2012 Olympic Games inspired celebrations back home a day earlier. (Full story)
Unless you live under a rock, you've heard of this alread.
Despite this, America still holds the record for "Worst Shit Done By Terrorists."