London Subway Explosions

Breaking news from the BBC:

Several people have been injured after explosions blamed on a power surge led to the whole London Underground network being closed down.

British Transport Police said some of the power surges had caused explosions.

Surges took place at Aldgate, Edgware Road, King's Cross, Old Street and Russell Square stations.

A spokesman said there were "walking wounded" at Liverpool Street station but one person's life was reported to be "at risk."

Reports indicate that traffic congestion has resulted from fire and ambulance services crowding the streets. Only anecdotal reports of injuries have been received so far.

[Update 0630 EDT]

From the BBC:

A police spokesman said there were "quite a large number of casualties" at Aldgate Tube Station.

And Scotland Yard confirmed one of several reports of explosions on buses in the city - in Tavistock Place - but said the cause was not yet known.

One caller to BBC Five said his friend had seen "the bus ripped open like a can of sardines and bodies everywhere."

Number 10 said it was "still unsure" whether the explosions were a terrorist attack and although casualties were reported, no further details were yet available.

From the Guardian Unlimited:

Many people were hurt today in a "major incident" on London transport as suspected terrorist attacks caused multiple explosions on tube trains and buses and plunged London's transport network into chaos.


London Tube Explosion
Several eyewitnesses reported that a bus had been ripped apart by a bomb near Russell Square. Police confirmed the explosion. Union officials said they had received reports of two more bus explosions, but details were not immediately available. All London hospitals are on major incident alert.

Laura Matthews, a press officer at Universities UK, with offices in Tavistock Square, said there were bodies lying around the bus explosion, some without arms or legs. "Get people down here quickly," she sobbed. She thought a bomb had gone off and was trying to evacuate her office.

From network news, two deaths have been reported, presumably from the bus explosion. Six total explosions are said to have occurred.

In all incidents of this type, terrorism is suspected, however, there's no indication so far. The subway and the bus explosions are being reported as coincidental. I personally don't believe coincidental explosions occur.

[Update 0730 EDT]

From various sources:

In a quick press announcement at 7am, PM Tony Blair calls for calm and vows to defeat those that committed the "barbaric" terrorist acts. Blair will leave the G8 Summit and travel to London.

The BBC has reported from Arab sources that the explosions were likely the work of al-Qaeda.

All public transportation in and around London has been suspended.

Rescue operations are underway in six locations.

There is an unconfirmed report that Scotland Yard received a warning before the explosions. It's probably false.

At least 100 people (unconfirmed) are injured. Royal London Hospital reports 95 injured, 1 fatality.

A suspicious package believe to be an unexploded device has been found. Also, London police said traces of explosive have been found at one site.

An unknown group (Italian?) claims responsibility for the attacks in the name of al-Qaeda. Possibly bogus.

[Update 0900 EDT]

From Sky News:

A terror group linked to al Qaeda says it carried out a series of terror attacks on London that have left a number of people dead and hundreds injured.

A previously unknown group calling itself "Secret Organisation al Qaeda in Europe" said it carried out the attacks as revenge for British "military massacres" in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Two London hospitals have reported a total of 185 wounded after a series of blasts hit locations across the city on buses and Tube stations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said there was evidence of explosives at at least two of the six sites.

Bus 'Ripped Apart'
Shortly after 0800 EDT, Tony Blair read a joint statement from the G8 leaders, stating that the attack on London was an "attack on all nations" and violence will not change societies or values.

Scotland Yard reports that seven explosions occurred and there was no prior warning. Government officials have closed the underground system for the day. Currently, the only vehicles operating in London are cars, taxis, and bicycles.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.