Explosions in London

mukade · Post by **mukade** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:59 am

Keep us up to date on here.

The Beeb homepage is slow as hell.

Mukade

avanutria · Post by **avanutria** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:06 am

Sound bites from Blair's speech, fast as I could type them:

it's reasonably clear that there have been a series of terrorist attacks in london

Blair is leaving G8 in a few hours to go down to London, and then returning to G8 in the evening, but the G8 meetings will continue in his absence.

it's particularly barbaric that this has happened on a day when people are meeting to try to help the problems in africa and the environment

reasonably apparent that this has been timed to coincide with the opening of the G8

it is important that those engaged in terrorism realise that our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to bring extremism to the world

They will never succeed in destroying what we hold dear in this country and in other civilised nations around the world.

Martin Milner · Post by **Martin Milner** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:08 am

Radio announcement by Tony Blair:

He's leaving the G8 summit to come down to London and get first hand reports of the events, and will return tonight. The summit will continue in his absense.

He surmises that the attacks are timed to interfere with the G8 Summit.

Flyingcursor · Post by **Flyingcursor** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:10 am

avanutria wrote:Sound bites from Blair's speech, fast as I could type them:

it's reasonably clear that there have been a series of terrorist attacks in london

Blair is leaving G8 in a few hours to go down to London, and then returning to G8 in the evening, but the G8 meetings will continue in his absence.

it's particularly barbaric that this has happened on a day when people are meeting to try to help the problems in africa and the environment

reasonably apparent that this has been timed to coincide with the opening of the G8

it is important that those engaged in terrorism realise that our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to bring extremism to the world

They will never succeed in destroying what we hold dear in this country and in other civilised nations around the world.

Damn straight Beth... I mean Blair.

mukade · Post by **mukade** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:10 am

Thanks.

I managed to get the BBC live net feed.

Mukade

avanutria · Post by **avanutria** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:12 am

Emergency services spokesman confirms explosion on bus in tavistock square, but not the cause. There is currently a rescue operation in a tunnel at king's cross. Casualty figures cannot be confirmed at this time. All underground lines and national rail lines into London are closed. Advises people not to travel in London at the moment.

avanutria · Post by **avanutria** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:13 am

Flyingcursor wrote:Damn straight Beth.

You mean "Damn straight Blair." ...I was just the reporter.

GaryKelly · Post by **GaryKelly** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:18 am

Re Swindon Station: "Multiple suspect packages."
At the moment the feeling is they're rightly erring on the side of caution, since Swindon is a major line signalling facility. Shutting the station has effectively shut down western mainline rail travel to and from London.

The east mainline is of course already closed. Word from Brighton is another "suspect package", but of course that closure has crippled southern line rail routes too. London's cut off, by rail at least.

avanutria · Post by **avanutria** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:19 am

Good grief...they're showing a new pic of the bombed bus, from the front. The roof is bent in a U shape lengthwise and lying in front of the bus. The side panel is bent halfway off starting at the back. Looked like half of the top level seats were gone...

It's a slightly higher angle on this picture, shown earlier:

GaryKelly · Post by **GaryKelly** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:23 am

Swindon update (radio report): Other buildings near the railway station have just been evacuated. A great deal of police activity, and two fire engines just rushed to the Station.

amar · Post by **amar** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:50 am

holy hell....am glad you chiffers are all fine!

GaryKelly · Post by **GaryKelly** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:53 am

Swindon update (local radio report): "A controlled explosion has been successfully carried out on a device on a train in Swindon station."

dwinterfield · Post by **dwinterfield** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:04 am

Thanks for all the updates. This is a sad day for everyone. It does feel like 9/11. The awlful uncertainty of being in an urban place and wondering - was it just there? will it be here too? I'm guessing the train ride home tonight in Boston will be tense.
Be careful and stay safe.

izzarina · Post by **izzarina** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:05 am

I'm so glad that you all are ok....anyone find anything about Redwolf? Please be safe, everyone!
Thank you all for keeping us posted as well....my husband was telling me that a couple of people were killed, and I told him what Beth had said. It seems that our coverage is not very good (not that it surprises me).

GaryKelly · Post by **GaryKelly** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:16 am

GaryKelly wrote:Swindon update (local radio report): "A controlled explosion has been successfully carried out on a device on a train in Swindon station."

Radio's just confirmed that the Swindon 'suspect device' was aboard the Bristol to Paddington train. No-one hurt, thank God.