Explosions rock London again
Published: Jul 21, 2005 3:26 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
For the second time in two weeks, London was again rocked by four explosives, resulting in at least one known casualty.
For the second time in two weeks, London was again rocked by four explosives, resulting in at least one known casualty.
In an eerie resemblance to the July 7 explosions that resulted in more than 50 deaths and some 700 injured, today's blasts also took place in three underground stations and on a double-decker bus. Media reports are saying that the blasts went off at about 11.45am London time (7.45 pm Malaysian time)
It is not immediately known if these are terrorist attacks or the work of copy cat perpetrators. No one has claimed responsibility.
According to the BBC, three explosions went off almost simultaneously at the Shepherd's Bush, Warren Street and Oval tube stations. And in a short distance away, another blast went off on the top of the double-decker bus in Hackney road in East London.
The British Transport police said that at least one person was injured at Warren Street blast. All the three underground stations have been evacuated and closed. Also shut down are five tube line.
It is not known if the explosions in the tube stations happened at the stations, on track or in the tubes.
The driver of the bus said that there were no injuries in the blast on his bus. The 29 number bus is said to have suffered only minor damages.
Initial eye-witness reports also suggest that smoke was seen from one of the stations and that bomb disposal squad with protection suits have entered the Warren Street station.
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said that the four explosions were smaller than that which went off on July 7. He also urged Londoners to "stay where you are".
He also said that some of the explosive devices had failed to explode.
Suspect in hospital?
In another development, the police also cordoned off the London University College Hospital. While no official reasons have been given for this, unconfirmed media reports said that an internal hospital memo warned the doctors to be on alert for an "injured tall man".
The police have also arrested a man outside 10 Downing Street, the residence of Prime Minister Tony Blair. No reasons are known for this arrest.
The prime minister urged Londoners to "react calmly" and "continue as normal". He said that he was having a lunch meeting with visiting Australian premier John Howard when he was informed about the explosions.
"These explosions are done to scare people. The police and emergency services have done their best and we should react calmly to these events and continue to do our things as normal," he said in a press conference.
In an eerie resemblance to the July 7 explosions that resulted in more than 50 deaths and some 700 injured, today's blasts also took place in three underground stations and on a double-decker bus. Media reports are saying that the blasts went off at about 11.45am London time (7.45 pm Malaysian time)
It is not immediately known if these are terrorist attacks or the work of copy cat perpetrators. No one has claimed responsibility.
According to the BBC, three explosions went off almost simultaneously at the Shepherd's Bush, Warren Street and Oval tube stations. And in a short distance away, another blast went off on the top of the double-decker bus in Hackney road in East London. The British Transport police said that at least one person was injured at Warren Street blast. All the three underground stations have been evacuated and closed. Also shut down are five tube line.
It is not known if the explosions in the tube stations happened at the stations, on track or in the tubes.
The driver of the bus said that there were no injuries in the blast on his bus. The 29 number bus is said to have suffered only minor damages.
Initial eye-witness reports also suggest that smoke was seen from one of the stations and that bomb disposal squad with protection suits have entered the Warren Street station.
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said that the four explosions were smaller than that which went off on July 7. He also urged Londoners to "stay where you are".
He also said that some of the explosive devices had failed to explode.
Suspect in hospital?
In another development, the police also cordoned off the London University College Hospital. While no official reasons have been given for this, unconfirmed media reports said that an internal hospital memo warned the doctors to be on alert for an "injured tall man". The police have also arrested a man outside 10 Downing Street, the residence of Prime Minister Tony Blair. No reasons are known for this arrest.
The prime minister urged Londoners to "react calmly" and "continue as normal". He said that he was having a lunch meeting with visiting Australian premier John Howard when he was informed about the explosions.
"These explosions are done to scare people. The police and emergency services have done their best and we should react calmly to these events and continue to do our things as normal," he said in a press conference.
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