Breaking News London: bus explodes near Tavistock Square
By Aleksander Boyd
London 07.07.05 | Radio news report that this morning a bus exploded near Tavistock Square in central London. The incident is cause for concern due to the fact that other explosions have also been reported to have ocurred in the London underground, namely between Aldgate East and Liverpool Street Station, Edgware Road and King's Cross stations.
There is very little information available as I write this note, however London has been brought to stand still.
Update: Tavistock Place near Russell Square was the location of the first bus explosions this morning in central London. Three other buses have reportedly exploded, the latest one near Marylebone.
Update 10.59 AM: the government has just confirmed that, due to the incidents aforementioned, 20 people have been killed.
Update 11.32 AM: The government has confirmed that 20 people have died and 90 have been injured. Six blasts have been reported, both the underground and bus service have been suspended. That's the latest at this hour.
The first explosion was reported at 8.49 this morning between Liverpool Street Station and Aldgate East. The head of the Metropolitan Police has stated that the events have the hallmarks of a terrorist attack, which were purportedly planned to coincide with the G-8 summit.
Eye witnesses account point at massive explosions, many people dead or injured, blood everywhere, in sum a horrendous scenario. Death toll is likely to rise in the coming hours.
Update 14.32: London's Radio News station LBC just reported that the death toll has risen to 45 and as many as 1.000 are injured. Many people are still trapped inside some underground tunnels and rescue operations continue in earnest. There's consensus about the bombing being a systematic terrorist attack and a group related to Al Qaeda "The Secret Organization of al-Qaida in Europe" has allegedly claimed responsibility for it.
I just came back from picking up my daughter at school in central London. Lots of people walking, lots of tourists looking stranded and frightened and police everywhere. Londoners seem to be going about their business with total normality. However the areas were the explosions took place have been completely secured by the police and only emergency members and the police are allowed anywhere near those areas.
Police spokesmen believe that the number of fatalities may rise in the coming hours, considering the precarious situation in some tunnels.
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