NATIONAL NEWS FLASH
London Terrorist Attack
| AT 8:49 police were called to Liverpool Street Station after reports of a blast. Blasts also got reported at Aldgate East, Edgware Rd., Kings Cross, Moorgate, russell Square tub Stations. At 10:14 Reports of blast on a bus at Tavistock Square then came in to the Police. The bus had been 'ripped apart' in explosion. All London Underground services have been suspended indefinitely and bus services in central London (Zone One) have been halted. London's police chief Sir Ian Blair said traces of explosive had been found at one site. Just after 11:00 the Home Secretary Charles Clarke told reporters outside Downing Street:-
"The health services are in support to deal with the terrible injuries that there have been." He urged people to stay where they were and not to call emergency services unless it was a life-threatening situation as Hospitals had closed to none-emergency. At 12:50 Hearthrow Express services where suspended as a precautionary measure. The BBC have requested that you can send any footage of the incident to this number:- 07921 648 159 If you can, please send us any pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk You can also send pictures in to us at nat-er@southportreporter.com (Some footage at pictures might be passed on to police.) Mr Blair said:- "It is reasonably clear that terrorists were behind the blasts. 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 impose extremism on the world. Whatever they do, it is our determination that they will never succeed in destroying what we hold dear in this country and in other civilised nations throughout the world." G8 leaders wanted the meeting to continue in his absence:- "We should continue to discuss the issues that we are discussing and reach the conclusions that we were going to reach. Each of the countries around that table have some experience of the effects of terrorism and all the leaders ... share our complete resolution to defeat this terrorism. It is particularly barbaric this has happened on a day when people are meeting to try to help the problems of poverty in Africa and the long term problems of climate change and the environment. Just as it's reasonably clear this is a series of terrorist attacks, it's also reasonably clear, that it is designed and meant to coincide with the G8." The London Olimpic team who are due to fly back into Heathrow Airport on Friday where a news conference had been scheduled said that:- "The plans that were laid out for the farewell and arrival celebrations have been cancelled. It would be completely inappropriate in view of this appalling tragedy.", the new Olympics minister Tessa Jowell. London 2012 spokesman Mike Lee expressed expressed "I am horrorified at what has happened. All Olympic celebrations are off." The Department for Education and Skills feels pupils are safest within school. Schools and councils have received many calls from worried parents and partners of staff, but have advised families not to panic as they seek information. Decisions will be made later about youngsters who are doing work experience placements. If you have any information that could help the investigation please ring Crimstoppers on 0800 555 111. Police are asvising everyone to be be vidulant through out the UK and report any suspicus packages to the poilice. A reporter in London said:- "It is just undiscribable chaoss at this time in London as we efectivley have a gridlock situaltion and also very worried public. There have been a massive surge in the number of calls being made in the area hs meant that many people had trouble getting through first time. This has added to fears of lost loved ones and also lack of knowing what is going on. BT said:- "We're asking that people only make essential calls to limit the congestion." At this time it is to early to say what the full picture is of this situaltion. Sir Ian said there had been "many casualties" but it was too early to put a figure to those killed or injured." A Statement from the Commissioner at 13:02 said that:- "There are four confirmed sites where police are dealing with reported explosions this morning. These are:- 1) Russell Square and King’s Cross underground 2) Moorgate, Aldgate, and Liverpool Street underground 3) Edgware Road underground 4) Tavistock Square, where there has been a confirmed explosion on a bus. The emergency services are working together in a co-ordinated response and liaising with hospitals to rescue those injured. The London Underground system has been suspended however the Network Rail system is still in operation. We would urge anyone who doesn’t need to come into London today not to do so. If you are already in London wherever possible please limit travelling around the capital. The Met continues to respond to 999 emergency calls but non-emergency calls will have a seriously delayed response. We cannot at this stage confirm the number of those injured, though casualties are multiple. There are believed fatalities but again numbers are not confirmed. We are also asking members of the public not to contact police at this stage unless it is a genuine emergency. We will be issuing a telephone number shortly for Casualty Bureau. I will stress that we hope to have the situation under control very soon." PLAY Mr TONY BLAIR PM SPEECH FROM GM AT 12:00GMT on 07 July 2005 |
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Updated at 13:24 GMT 07 July 2005 |
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