London Bombings (Originally: Tube warning after 'bang' heard)

[iGav]

Lets hope this is just power problem, and not the start of suicide bombers in the capitol. :(

Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4659093.stm)

But, just incase... be safe everyone.

[Peterkro]

They're saying its a power surge(they don't have filtering equipment?)anywy whole system is down apparently,seems only minor injuries although some people still trapped.

[Jedda]

Far out.

People are emerging coverered in blood and snot according to that report.

[bartelby]

Let's hope it is nothing too sinister.

Keep yourselves safe London buddies.

[Badradio]

There are reports coming in of explosions on one or more buses. This can't be a coincidence.

That's confirmed now - bus exploded near Russell Square.

[WinterMute]

Explosions at Liverpool Street Station, Edgeware Rd and reports of a Bus exploding at Russell Square.

This is now reporting as being definite. Eyewitnesses say bus blown in half.

Conflicting reports of train crashes, tunnel collapses and other explosions.

No reports of fatalities, but some walking wounded.

Everything's shut.

[WinterMute]

At least one fatality in the bus at Russell Square, the explosion took the top deck off apparently.

[iGav]

Rail union reporting explosive device/s on underground.

Is now being reported as 3 separate explosions on 3 separate buses.

[Peterkro]

Reports of explosions on five buses in central London some fatalities.

[Militar]

Reports sound like a power surge or explosive device. My prayers go out to the families.

[bartelby]

Hmmm, Lots of conflicting reports.
BBC are reporting 1 bus and at least 1 explosive device on the Underground.

Most disturbing.

[asif786]

wow, the whole underground is closed. that's something like 270 stations.

i wonder, was it just a power thing or some sort of planned attack? <just read more things..now im even more confused..>

it'll be a damned hectic day today..

[WinterMute]

Scotland Yard are reporting ONE explosion on ONE bus in Russell Square, some fatalities.

No word as to wether the Tube explosions are bombs or not.

[Veldek]

The stock markets go down by the minute. I hope it turns out not to be a terror attack, because even more people could become harmed.

[dcv]

I've been watching BBC News 24. Lots of eye witness reports coming in. Explosion confirmed at Tavistock Square (on the top of a double decker bus) at around 9:45. They have reports of bombs on 3 buses in central London.

The underground 'explosions' occurred around an hour earlier (approx 8:45), they are still saying this was some sort of power surge/electrical fault with blasts reported at Edgware Road, Aldgate East (and i think Kings X and Liverpool St)

At this stage it's not known whether the underground and bus incidents are related or purely coincidental.

[Militar]

I hope it turns out not to be a terror attack, because even more people could become harmed.When the first few minutes of 9/11 happened here, initial reports came back that a light aircraft smashed into one of the towers. Even which tower was hit could not have been confirmed. I hope it's nothing sinister over there in London. Could a power surge cause this type of explosion?

[Militar]

My worst fears have been realized. CNN is reporting the Tube explosions as a series of terrorist attacks.

[WinterMute]

When the first few minutes of 9/11 happened here, initial reports came back that a light aircraft smashed into one of the towers. Even which tower was hit could not have been confirmed. I hope it's nothing sinister over there in London. Could a power surge cause this type of explosion?

The kind of voltages involved on the tubes, yes.

It's a big ask to assume this is a coincidence, three incidents on the Tube and the BBC are showing pictures of the bus, the tops gone.

There have never been explosions caused by power surges on the tube, the fail-safes are very good and the individual lines are isolated.

[asif786]

a report of ANOTHER one at tavistock square..sky news eyewitness said it was 1 min ago..

all news sources reporting a series of terrorist attacks..i hope this doesn't last the whole day...continous blasts. sky news saying it's very well planned an could continue all day..

[WinterMute]

a report of ANOTHER one at tavistock square..sky news eyewitness said it was 1 min ago..

all news sources reporting a series of terrorist attacks..i hope this doesn't last the whole day...continous blasts. sky news saying it's very well planned an could continue all day..

This is the same one, Tavistock Place is right next to Russell Square.

There are reports of the police finding three more devices and will be carrying out controlled explosions in the Tavistock Place area.

Another bomb just exploded near Liverpool Street on Houndsditch according to BBC24

[edesignuk]

This is not good (HUGE understatement!). We haven't been evacuated yet, I'm quite amazed. F***ing american banks, won't evacuate unless they absolutely have to!!! Let's just wait until I get blown up shall we!?!?! :mad:

[asif786]

This is not good (HUGE understatement!). We haven't been evacuated yet, I'm quite amazed. F***ing american banks, won't evacuate unless they absolutely have to!!! Let's just wait until I get blown up shall we!?!?! :mad:

where (location) do you work?

how the hell are people gonna get home? they dont wanna be going around on public transport tonight..

and btw, it's impossible to use the mobile..everyone's phoning each other to see if they're ok..so it's a no go for mobile phones.

[skunk]

Welcome to London, zim...
Hope everyone at MR is OK. It certainly wasn't a power surge, or the National Grid would have noticed.
Even Reuters is down - too much traffic, I guess.

[WinterMute]

This is very serious... Fatalities...

Or am I mislead?

No, at least one fatality on the bus at Tavistock Place, I doubt we'll hear about casualties from the tubes for a while, they'll have taken the wounded out first.

Policemen on the scene reporting a train crash at Kings Cross... :eek:

[Militar]

CBC News is reporting that there are at least 90 casualties. They said they got their information from BBC Sky News.

[skunk]

No, at least one fatality on the bus at Tavistock Place, I doubt we'll hear about casualties from the tubes for a while, they'll have taken the wounded out first.

Policemen on the scene reporting a train crash at Kings Cross... :eek:
From the sound of things, the figures might be quite high: you don't lose the top deck of a rush-hour bus without a few people getting hurt.

[edesignuk]

where (location) do you work?

how the hell are people gonna get home? they dont wanna be going around on public transport tonight..I'm in Canary Wharf, in the 41st f***ing floor of the central tower. And apparently all public transport in and out of the area has now been closed off!!!!

[WinterMute]

This is not good (HUGE understatement!). We haven't been evacuated yet, I'm quite amazed. F***ing american banks, won't evacuate unless they absolutely have to!!! Let's just wait until I get blown up shall we!?!?! :mad:

It looks like they are hitting the transport system, I think you'll be safe.

[crap freakboy]

The bus looks like an opened sardine tin, a real mess.
The power surge was just denied by London Electric, no unusual feed from their networl to the Underground.
At the moment news reports are somewhat confused. So Central London is without Tubes and Buses....security incident at Swindon and Brighton stations, both have been closed. Looks like it going to be a long day.

[Peterkro]

Its all a bit confused but reports of incident in Brighton being reported.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

This is not good... :mad: :(

I'm following the broadcast on BBC World, but they're not reporting anything concrete. But they hint to terrorist action (or human actions as some say) and that there are SEVERAL casualties, according to eyewitnesses.

Not good at all...

[skunk]

Boy, am I glad I don't commute.

[dcv]

There are reports of at least 90 casulaties just at Aldgate underground.

Many walking wounded reported at other stations and Russell Square.

Reports of 'a number of fatalities' coming in (number not yet known)


I work from home most days. Called my office at Liverpool St earlier and thankfully everyone is ok and they got in before the incidents on the tube occurred.

[zimv20]

Welcome to London, zim...

thanks.

looks like i'll be hanging out in hackney today. tfl just reported all central london busses shut down, too. yikes.

[redeye be]

Stupid frickin' terrorists. I don't know what else to say...
Take care all of you out there in London.

[asif786]

I have a family member at St. Marys Hospital in Paddington..due to have a bypass this afternoon and they're sending him home.

In fact, i think they're sending as many people home as possible. Hopefully the worst of it is over by now though..

[WinterMute]

Boy, am I glad I don't commute.

I do, but usually a bit later...

No confirmed reports of fatalities still, but eyewitnesses report bodies at the bus site.

There are a large number of walking wounded from the tube stations, one life threatened casualty is reported.

[osiris315]

1) London wins the Olympic bid
2) G8 summit in progress up in Scotland with all the world's top leaders.

This was certainly timed to perfection for publicity. :(

[liketom]

i am unable to get on any news website at work - proxy errors all over the shop


so what do we know so far?

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Police confirms six blasts on BBC World.

Edit: There's also confirmation of "lots of causalities", but Police will not give any numbers before the casualties bureau is operational. He will not say anything about fatalities. Nor who might be responsible, which is understandable.

[hob]

Sir Iain Blair, Metropolitan Police Commander has gone on ITV and BBC... Confirming on BBC that people should stay where they are, all transport is stopped and noone can go anywhere. If the terrorists are organised it could be fish in a barrel time :confused:

[WinterMute]

i am unable to get on any news website at work - proxy errors all over the shop


so what do we know so far?

Police commisioner reports 6 "incidents" 4 on the tubes, 1 on a bus, 1 in a street.

He wouldn't confirm fatalities and won't give details.

[edesignuk]

It looks like they are hitting the transport system, I think you'll be safe.Chances are that we will be, but given the recent history of terrorist attacks and all....I still think it's a piss take that they don't evacuate us, they have our little Swindon office (~200 people), wonder why? Could it be because they won't be loosing any money, but they would if they evacuated us? hmmm....I wonder :rolleyes:

[dcv]

Quick update for people who can't get onto news sites:

Police believe there have been six blasts in central London.

Many casualties but no numbers can be confirmed at the moment.
No confirmation yet of fatalities either.

Entire tube network is closed.
No buses running in zone 1.

[skunk]

If the terrorists are organised it could be fish in a barrel time :confused:Thanks for that...

[hob]

Police commisioner reports 6 "incidents" 4 on the tubes, 1 on a bus, 1 in a street.

He wouldn't confirm fatalities and won't give details.
And he all-but walked off the BBC, then again Matthew Amrimwala was pursuing him a little....

[Wes]

Army on the streets according to Sky News.

[WinterMute]

Chances are that we will be, but given the recent history of terrorist attacks and all....I still think it's a piss take that they don't evacuate us, they have our little Swindon office (~200 people), wonder why? Could it be because they won't be loosing any money, but they would if they evacuated us? hmmm....I wonder :rolleyes:

There's a report of an incident at Swindon Station and one at Brighton, probably false alarms, who'd blow Swindon up?

There are still reports of controlled explosions to come.

[wrldwzrd89]

Wow, I've heard of total power failures across the entire Tube system shutting it down (I had to deal with one of those when I lived in England), but never this. I hope London isn't dealing with a new terrorism outbreak.

[Militar]

Tony Blair is expected to give a speech starting in about 30 minutes.

[FFTT]

This is horrible to hear.

Hope all our mates are safe over there in the UK.

Could this be some sick retaliation for the Olympics announcement or
an attention grab because of the G8 summit?

Very disturbing.

[WinterMute]

Wow, I've heard of total power failures across the entire Tube system shutting it down (I had to deal with one of those when I lived in England), but never this. I hope London isn't dealing with a new terrorism outbreak.

It's pretty obvious that we are dealing with terrorists now, Reuters is reporting 90 casualties (non fatal) from the Kings Cross incident alone.

The police and ambulance service are well used to this with the IRA bombs, but not for a while.

[Peterkro]

Two confirmed deaths,scores of wounded.Al Queda claiming responsibility.

[edesignuk]

Apparently the army are being called in to man the tube stations.

[shadowmoses]

Was unfortunate to be driving through central London when i noticed massive groups of people around the buses which is abnormal,I then turned on the news on the Radio and straight away turned to go back home....

Central London is now total chaos so any londeners STAY SAFE STAY AT HOME.....

News coming through that it is almost certainly "Al Queida" what more can i say this is extremely distressing looks like London's 9/11...

ShadOW :(

[WinterMute]

The BBC are reporting that Arab sources are reporting that Al Queda are claiming this.

2 fatalities reported at Aldgate East.

[Lau]

They just said it was almost certainly Al-Qaeda. I mean, we all though that, but they just confirmed it on the news.

[Militar]

Apparently, Scotland Yard received warnings of an imminent terrorist attack minutes before it happened.

[edesignuk]

They just said it was almost certainly Al-Qaeda.Sickening, this must have been being planned for so long.

[asif786]

They just said it was almost certainly Al-Qaeda. I mean, we all though that, but they just confirmed it on the news.

mm..great..another arab terrorist attack. that's all we need.

in all honesty..i cant really see why it's happened how it has. everyone knows that if you want to hurt london, there's two stations you attack: oxford circus and canary wharf. for overground, it's the liverpool st or paddington.

i think this was just a scare tactic. whether something more is going to come..i dont know..obviously i hope not. it seems to me that whoever done it didn't want it to really kill people..they just wanted to show us what they can do.

[zimv20]

i'm switching between BBC and SkyNews, so far no mention of AQ claiming responsibility. where are you guys seeing this?

[WinterMute]

i'm switching between BBC and SkyNews, so far no mention of AQ claiming responsibility. where are you guys seeing this?

BBC news 24 have mentioned it once.

[Lau]

Sickening, this must have been being planned for so long.

Yeah, they have said it was really well planned out. So scary.

[SpaceMagic]

BBC Reporting Al Queda

I've heard 20 dead, then bbc said "another two fatalities confirmed at Aldgate station.

If I was you Edesign, I'd get out of CitiGroup for your "coffee break" and go somewhere like.. hmm.. Home :p

[Chimera]

I can't believe this, i'm just glad my dad didn't go to work in London today, it's hard enough to believe that anyone would do this, even more so after Blair trying to help out Africa as much as he can at G8 as well as just celebrating after the Olympics.

[edesignuk]

If I was you Edesign, I'd get out of CitiGroup for your "coffee break" and go somewhere like.. hmm.. Home :pNot in the CitiGroup building, in the bigger one right in the middle of the estate!!! :eek: Not really much point in leaving, all transport links are down, we are all basically stuck.

[miloblithe]

MSNBC analyst is saying he suspects Al Qaeda. Estimating necessary number of cells to carry this out.

[WinterMute]

BBC reporting the more seriously injured are now being brought out of the underground, sounds like it's difficult to get near the explosion site.

No children are involved apparently.

[skunk]

I'm comforted to know that George Bush has made the world safer by taking out Al Qaeda. Who do we bomb?

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

BBC just showed some very disturbing of one of the casualties rushed to hospital and a medical worker was performing heart compressions while they wheeled the stretcher in... not good... I fear that might have been another fatality... :(

[Lau]

BBC just showed some very disturbing of one of the casualties rushed to hospital and a medical worker was performing heart compressions while they wheeled the stretcher in... not good... I fear that might have been another fatality... :(

Yeah, that was really horrible. It just brings it home how serious it all is.

[crap freakboy]

I'm comforted to know that George Bush has made the world safer by taking out Al Qaeda. Who do we bomb?

Anyone we supplied weapons to and have oil reserves would be high on the list.

[hob]

I never believed Al-Quaeda was a real terrorist organistation... Always took some stock in the conspiracy theories about 9/11 linking to the War in Iraq and the two being mutually exclusive...

[robbieduncan]

Not in the CitiGroup building, in the bigger one right in the middle of the estate!!! :eek: Not really much point in leaving, all transport links are down, we are all basically stuck.

I'm in the CitiGroup building. Everything is very calm here. We have plans for this. We are currently trying to track all staff and ensure that they are OK. We are not evacuating for a couple of reasons:

1) We appear to be safe here.
2) There is no transport to get anywhere else.

Best wishes to all those effected, stay calm and try to jsut get on with things!

[SpaceMagic]

95 taken to one particular hospital so far.

[WinterMute]

7 explosions now confirmed, at least 2 dead.

[Nermal]

BBC news 24 have mentioned it once.

Just said it was "almost certain".

Edit: Tony Blair is now making his address.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Blair is speaking!

Edit: "Clearly terrorist attacks", "Several casualties", "Leaving the G8 meeting to go to London", "Rejoining G8 meeting, not to interrupt that due to terrorism", "Particular barbaric on the day the G8 is meeting to solve the worlds poverty and environmental problems" [Man, he's p*ssed!]

[evil_santa]

I'm in Canary Wharf, in the 41st f***ing floor of the central tower. And apparently all public transport in and out of the area has now been closed off!!!!


I used to work down by the London Arena, We use to get stuck on the island all the time when anything like this happened, We moved offices shortly after the Docklands bomb went off.

Today I got turned back at the Tube station, thankfully I go into work quite late.

[edesignuk]

I'm in the CitiGroup building. Everything is very calm here. We have plans for this. We are currently trying to track all staff and ensure that they are OK. We are not evacuating for a couple of reasons:

1) We appear to be safe here.
2) There is no transport to get anywhere else.

Best wishes to all those effected, stay calm and try to jsut get on with things!I know we're "deemed" safe here, but the whole attitude of these types of places drives me nuts. All they care about is if the "systems" stay up :mad:

[Militar]

Tony Blair is stating that the explosions are indeed terrorist attacks and will be leaving immediately for London from the G8 summit.

[Nermal]

Statement is over. He's leaving G8 in the next couple of hours, and heading back to London. He should return later this evening.

[Bakey]

i think this was just a scare tactic. whether something more is going to come..i dont know..obviously i hope not. it seems to me that whoever done it didn't want it to really kill people..they just wanted to show us what they can do.

Let us not forget Al-Qaeda have threatened there would be more attacks in the future -- maybe this is the official start to their new campaign!

Oh boy...

At least [and not to make light of the subject] here in the mainland we're kind of used to dealing with terrorist threats and subsequent actions as demonstrated today... I'm thinking back to the campaigns implemented by the IRA during the seventies and eighties.

So, as we're still waiting to hear the "official" line as to who was responsible -- the chances are that we can thank Mr. Bush & Blair for their continued diligence in keeping us 'safe' at all times!

And lastly may I pass on my sympathies to all who may be affected [directly or otherwise] by today’s tragic events.

[Militar]

Statement is over. He's leaving G8 and heading back to London. He will return later.5 minutes. I'm concerned about his last remark. Sounds a lot like George Bush's defiance speech to Congress. I hope this doesn't lead to more senseless killings.

I can't get away from the idea that these terrorist attacks were caused in part by Britain's support of Bush's war on terrorism.

I don't want to make this thread into a political debate. If the mods have any concerns, please feel free to edit my post if you deem necessary. I might suggest we create a new thread in the political forum should we feel compelled to discuss the political ramifications of these events in more detail.

[SpaceMagic]

What a speech, tony and what a man. He was clearly shocked and the fact he's coming to support the police, even if he isn't strictly needed shows his personality and first duty to be with the people of britain.

And then the last bit.. what a defiant speech, "you will not change our way of life." My opinion of the man just went up.

[SpaceMagic]

5 minutes. I'm concerned about his last remark. Sounds a lot like George Bush. I hope this doesn't lead to more senseless killings.


The best defense is to attack first ;)

[Lau]

They have just located a statement on a european cell of al qaeda's website admitting responsibilty.

[Nermal]

A (possibly fake?) statement has been released, with Al Qaeda claiming responsibility.

[WinterMute]

website claims AQ responsibility, 200 word statement no URL.

BBC news 24 report.

[Nermal]

We're obviously all watching the same channel :p

[Lau]

We're obviously all watching the same channel :p

I know! We should designate one of us an official BBC correspondent ;)

[miloblithe]

He did look disturbed.

As for our theories and assessments. Emotions are up right now. Let's try not to turn this into a flame war.

[Nermal]

People still trapped at King's Cross, and fatalities. "Many casualties, and, we believe, deaths involved".

[Militar]

People still trapped at King's Cross, and fatalities.
My greatest fear is death by smoke inhalation, which can be the biggest threat. Those tunnels are fairly small and so not much room for fresh air. It's kind of eerie seeing those overhead helicopter shots from the outside is all calm and quiet.

[Nermal]

Apparently they're piping smoke out. So there's definitely a lot of smoke in there :(

[WinterMute]

This was always going to be the case, explosions in small enclosed spaces always cause injuries, it's incredibly difficult to work in the tunnels anyway, let alone trying to get to people trapped in a train that has been bombed, remember the damage that happened to the trains in madrid and imagine that in a tunnel 18 feet wide.

There are a lot more casualties to come sadly.

[diddy]

My thoughts and prayers are with London.

[Sharewaredemon]

News or a story?

'Bomb', 'bombs', 'explosions'
Traffic wardens, police support officers and private security guards were all drafted in to man the cordons.

Policemen spoke of “a bomb” or “bombs,” or of “explosions.” The slowly expanding police cordon pushed before it droves of confused office workers, evacuated from the surrounding streets.

The cellphone networks quickly became jammed with callers trying to reassure loved ones of their safety, and shops filled with people begging the use of a phone. Some young women in a hairdressers’ shop were in tears.

People talked of hearing explosions, but the lightly concealed panic as the police combed the area for bombs made any degree of clarity impossible.

Traffic halted completely, engines off, the police lines blocking escape routes for all but cycles and motorcycles. But the uncanny absence of motor noise was hidden by the constant howl of sirens.

Two hundred yards away, the flashing lights and ambulance traffic bore witness to the fact that something had gone horribly wrong. But what?

Not knowing was the worst thing.

Reuters contributed to this report.

I got this off the MSNBC site, it seems really odd that the way this was written made it seem more like a story, instead of reporting news.

It really bothers me.

[asif786]

I'm in the CitiGroup building. Everything is very calm here. We have plans for this. We are currently trying to track all staff and ensure that they are OK. We are not evacuating for a couple of reasons:

1) We appear to be safe here.
2) There is no transport to get anywhere else.

Best wishes to all those effected, stay calm and try to jsut get on with things!

are you guys still having to work? or are they letting you just watch tv?

i remember when 9/11 happened..at school..it was a total free-for-all..everyone was cramming into rooms with projectors..was nuts.

does anyone know where the 7th explosion was? i saw 6 on bbc but suddenly a while ago they started saying 7..

[mad jew]

My heart goes out to the Brits. This is heart wrenching.

[edesignuk]

are you guys still having to work? or are they letting you just watch tv?No one is working. All just sitting around looking for updates on the net (the only TV's are on the 49th - Reception). Our DR people are all flapping around.

[Nermal]

i remember when 9/11 happened..at school..it was a total free-for-all..everyone was cramming into rooms with projectors..was nuts.

Yeah, I remember that too. A lot of us went to the pub around the corner and watched CNN on their wall-sized screen.

[Peterkro]

Buses being searched in Birmingham,Vodaphone confirm its network was handed over to Government,unconfirmed reports bus was a suicide bomber.

[toontra]

What a speech, tony and what a man. He was clearly shocked and the fact he's coming to support the police, even if he isn't strictly needed shows his personality and first duty to be with the people of britain.

And then the last bit.. what a defiant speech, "you will not change our way of life." My opinion of the man just went up.

Yeah, what a man! He was warned by his own advisors that an invasion of Iraq would increase the likelihood of terrorist attacks on British targets, but he went ahead anyway.

Looks like he (or rather we) will reap the whirlwind.

[zimv20]

does anyone know where the 7th explosion was? i saw 6 on bbc but suddenly a while ago they started saying 7..
found this image:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41277000/gif/_41277031_central_londonblast3_map.gif

link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4659093.stm)

[WinterMute]

are you guys still having to work? or are they letting you just watch tv?

i remember when 9/11 happened..at school..it was a total free-for-all..everyone was cramming into rooms with projectors..was nuts.

does anyone know where the 7th explosion was? i saw 6 on bbc but suddenly a while ago they started saying 7..

6 trains/stations, one bus.

Aldgate East
Liverpool Street
Kings Cross
Russel Square (edit)
Edgeware Road
Moorgate

Tavistock Place.

just seen the bus, it's gone from the middle backwards, no roof... bastards.

[osiris315]

does anyone know where the 7th explosion was? i saw 6 on bbc but suddenly a while ago they started saying 7..

6 bombs at tube stations
- Edgware Road
- Russell Square
- Kings Cross
- Liverpool Street
- Aldgate East
- Moorgate

1 bomb on a bus
- Travistock place (near Russell Sq)

[Sharewaredemon]

Buses being searched in Birmingham,Vodaphone confirm its network was handed over to Government,unconfirmed reports bus was a suicide bomber.


What's vodaphone? A cell phone network?

[SpaceMagic]

I don't care about iBook updates today anymore.

I'm just glad my sister and hey boyfriend went on holiday saturday, as they commute the tube, like most londoners, every day.

[zimv20]

What's vodaphone? I cell phone network?
yep. the one i've got and it's currently inaccessible.

[Nermal]

What's vodaphone? I cell phone network?

World's biggest, I believe. I'm surprised you haven't heard of it.

[dcv]

i'm so glad i didnt have to go to the office today as i would have passed through four of those stations, all (except russell square) are on the circle/hammersmith & city line

[mad jew]

I don't care about iBook updates today anymore.

I'm just glad my sister and hey boyfriend went on holiday saturday, as they commute the tube, like most londoners, every day.


Certainly puts things in perspective, doesn't it. I'm happy they're okay.

[Sharewaredemon]

World's biggest, I believe. I'm surprised you haven't heard of it.

Well I don't have a cell phone and have never been interested in them.
It's weird when there is something that big and you haven't heard of it.

So why did Vodaphone hand their network over the government?

[WinterMute]

This from the BBC:

[Otto Rehhagel]

My prayers go to all in London today.

For Vodafone's networks to be taken over by the gov't, this signifies the severity of the situation. I bet all of you who want to get in touch with friends and family using this carrier are really furious right now! I would be!

I honestly have never heard of a gov't taking over a cell phone network. I guess in this "new age" anything can happen.

[SpaceMagic]

Certainly puts things in perspective, doesn't it. I'm happy they're okay.

It certainly does. Thank you.

Aswell, yes vodaphone is the biggest network in the world, however they often call themselves something different in other countries. (Like Vodaphone is called OmniTel in Italy.)

I hope there are no other surprises today, my mum's on a plane to italy in a few hours from heathrow.

[Peterkro]

Well I don't have a cell phone and have never been interested in them.
It's weird when there is something that big and you haven't heard of it.

So why did Vodaphone hand their network over the government?
Emergency services using the network to communicate also public being denied access for fear of bombs being detonated by phone a la Madrid.

[miloblithe]

So why did Vodaphone hand their network over the government?

Cell phones used as triggers?

Clear up communications traffic?

[Sharewaredemon]

Emergency services using the network to communicate also public being denied access for fear of bombs being detonated by phone a la Madrid.


Makes sense, thanks.

I really don't follow the news enough. I didn't realise that bombs were triggered like that in Madrid.

[barneygumble]

My heart goes out to everyone involved in this tragedy, oneday these sons of bitches will get whats coming to them, i hope to live long enough to see it :mad:

[Lau]

I think it may just be parts of the network. I read on BBC a while ago they had reserved a part of the network for emergency services. I'm not in London, and managed to text my friend who works in London (but slightly further out, like Zone 3 or something). So I wonder if they've just shut down a part of the network.

[robbieduncan]

No one is working. All just sitting around looking for updates on the net (the only TV's are on the 49th - Reception). Our DR people are all flapping around.

Personally I'm still doing a bit of work. We have TV's on around the place and Sky News piped into the auditorium but a lot of us are working as normal. They want to disrupt our way of life? They can get lost!

[raggedjimmi]

this feels so strange. i dont live anywhere near london but it feels like an unknown appendage has been ripped off by someone and bitten. not that london is an appendage or anything.

this is bad. they better burn the freakin people responsible for this.

strange, i was in London during the manchester bomb and in manchester for the london bombs.

[edesignuk]

It's being reported (BBC24 I believe) that a suicide bomber has just been shot in Canary Wharf :eek:

[wordmunger]

It's being reported (BBC24 I believe) that a suicide bomber has just been shot in Canary Wharf :eek:
Holy crap! Be careful over there, guys. My thoughts are with you.

[asif786]

It's being reported (BBC24 I believe) that a suicide bomber has just been shot in Canary Wharf :eek:

WTF?!? THIS IS NUTS!

/end hysterics

[Sharewaredemon]

It's being reported (BBC24 I believe) that a suicide bomber has just been shot in Canary Wharf :eek:

What?

Has this ever happened before?

(Them getting to a suicide bomber before he can blow himself?)

[Tiauguinho]

Damn Motherf*ckers!!!!


My thoughts go to londoners right now. Hang in there all of you

[WinterMute]

It's being reported (BBC24 I believe) that a suicide bomber has just been shot in Canary Wharf :eek:

Not on the TV channel mate.

Although the police are privately still worried that this may be the lead up to something bigger...

[miloblithe]

Jebus.

[Lau]

It's being reported (BBC24 I believe) that a suicide bomber has just been shot in Canary Wharf :eek:

I'm watching BBC NEWS 24 and I didn't hear that. But I'll keep y'all posted. I'll have a channel hop and see what Sky News etc are saying... (Although does anyone else only 'trust' the BBC news?) :p

[WinterMute]

What?

Has this ever happened before?

(Them getting to a suicide bomber before he can blow himself?)

Yes, many times in Isreal and Iraq.

The TV news 24 channel IS NOT reporting anything about a shooting in Canary Wharf.

[fitinferno]

This is just really upsetting :(

We're being told to just stay put...I feel very useless just sitting watching this stuff. I wish there was some type of blood drive for the injured to partake in or something of that sort.

[Sharewaredemon]

Yes, many times in Isreal and Iraq.

The TV news 24 channel IS NOT reporting anything about a shooting in Canary Wharf.

Thanks, hopefully they will be able to stop anything more from happening.

That would be nice.

[WinterMute]

This is just really upsetting :(

We're being told to just stay put...I feel very useless just sitting watching this stuff. I wish there was some type of blood drive for the injured to partake in or something of that sort.

They'll call for it if it's needed, blood stocks are always held in reserve for this kind of event.

Still, you should give blood anyway, it's a good thing to do.

[SpaceMagic]

It's being reported (BBC24 I believe) that a suicide bomber has just been shot in Canary Wharf :eek:

Rumours going round your building :p Not helpful! Unless their true then I feel sorry for you mate.

[raggedjimmi]

They want to disrupt our way of life? They can get lost!

exactly the way to go about it. *shakes hand*

[garybUK]

Man, Tony sounded p!ssed off! My estimation of him has just gone up as well, defiant and sounded totally infuriated ... They were saying on Radio 5 909 that London is by design a pretty secure city and these are really the worst they can do.

They were also saying that people wern't paniking and were in restaurants and bars talking to police quite civilised, with only the directly injured paniking.

We are quite resourceful as a nation, we won't play on it as much as George Bush did with 11th September, but rebuild, improve and carry on.

Like Manchester did with the IRA bomb, totally transformed the city.

[dobbin]

So why did Vodaphone hand their network over the government?

All of the mobile networks in the UK take part in a scheme whereby certain numbers/handsets used by emergency response workers can be preregistered for this type of scenario. In the event of the network getting so busy that it will hamper the emergency response, the police will request that the system is activated. This gives priority to the pre-registered users, and other phones will only work if there is enough capacity (unlikely). This can be activated within individual cells/masts or to a wider area. Its not used very often as it is seen as a double-edged sword: it will block calls from survivors who need help or emergency workers who are not registered. In this case, it appears that it was decided that it was necessary.

[Sharewaredemon]

All of the mobile networks in the UK take part in a scheme whereby certain numbers/handsets used by emergency response workers can be preregistered for this type of scenario. In the event of the network getting so busy that it will hamper the emergency response, the police will request that the system is activated. This gives priority to the pre-registered users, and other phones will only work if there is enough capacity (unlikely). This can be activated within individual cells/masts or to a wider area. Its not used very often as it is seen as a double-edged sword: it will block calls from survivors who need help or emergency workers who are not registered. In this case, it appears that it was decided that it was necessary.


Thanks, it's cool seeing how people plan ahead for Emergency Response (though tragic that they have to implement it).

[asif786]

I'm watching BBC NEWS 24 and I didn't hear that. But I'll keep y'all posted. I'll have a channel hop and see what Sky News etc are saying... (Although does anyone else only 'trust' the BBC news?) :p

yep, i didnt see it either. probably just a rumour..appropriate seeing as we're on macrumors..(ok, now isnt a time for lame jokes, i know).

i've been switching between sky news and bbc news. the whole situation seems to be winding down a bit now.

[stubeeef]

My thoughts and prayers are with London.
My thoughts and prayers are with them too.

[SpaceMagic]

Wow, David Davies is an excellent speaker.

[WinterMute]

4 explosions confirmed by the Home Secretary.

3 trains and one bus, all trains in tunnels and 1 explosion affected a second train.

Police are still saying 7 explosions however.

[robbieduncan]

It's being reported (BBC24 I believe) that a suicide bomber has just been shot in Canary Wharf :eek:

I heard that too. Not sure I believe it. If it's true then good shot that man!

[stubeeef]

A picture of thousands of New Yorkers walking home over the bridges to New Jersey, and down avenues home, popped in my head while reading this thread.
While as an American I am proud of the New Yorkers, there has never been a more resilient lot than Londoners, maybe its the beer, but during WWII's V2 rocket attacks London held strong.
Our thoughts, our hearts, and yes our prayers are with you this day.

[skunk]

I heard that too.Are you sure it didn't come from a secret MR member in your office reading edesign's post?
:cool:

[Thomas Veil]

My God.

My sympathies to all of you over in the UK.

They're talking about probably double-digit fatalities. I hope they're talking on the low side.

I also hope no MR forum members are among the victims. I'm not trying to be morbid, but I believe over at MacAddict Forums they actually lost one of their members on 9/11. :(

Guess robbieduncan had the best advice though. You'll be mourning this for a while, but then go back to your normal lives. Don't let the bastards win.

Here's to you guys.

http://users.adelphia.net/~tjveil/images/britishflag.jpg

[dobbin]

Thanks, it's cool seeing how people plan ahead for Emergency Response (though tragic that they have to implement it).

I am an emergency planning officer, and obviously I hope that nothing like this ever happens in my area. I enjoy my job but hopefully none of my work will ever be needed.

[robbieduncan]

Are you sure it didn't come from a secret MR member in your office reading edesign's post?
:cool:

Unfortunatly not. I heard that at around 11:30 from someone who is not a Mac user.

[Veldek]

A government building in Warsaw (Poland) is burning. It's not clear if there's a relation and what the cause was.

[dcv]

from the apple uk site:

For the security of our customers and employees, the Apple Store, Regent Street, will be closed for the rest of the day. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this morning’s events in central London.

[Sharewaredemon]

from the apple uk site:

For the security of our customers and employees, the Apple Store, Regent Street, will be closed for the rest of the day. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this morning’s events in central London.


I didn't see that.

[asif786]

from the apple uk site:

For the security of our customers and employees, the Apple Store, Regent Street, will be closed for the rest of the day. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this morning’s events in central London.

I'm surprised. I always imagined that if something like this happened, the theatre at apple would be a perfect place to gather and watch. obviously not in their eyes.

actually, it's probably because of too many people coming in to use computers..

[asif786]

I didn't see that.

http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet/week/20050703.html

[robbieduncan]

from the apple uk site:

For the security of our customers and employees, the Apple Store, Regent Street, will be closed for the rest of the day. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this morning’s events in central London.

Almost all the shops in the various malls under Canary Wharf have closed as well.

[Sharewaredemon]

http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet/week/20050703.html


Thanks. I just thought it would be on the main page for some reason.

[edesignuk]

Almost all the shops in the various malls under Canary Wharf have closed as well.They've even closed the Wetherspoons!!!!! It must be serious!!!!!

[iLaw]

I'm surprised. I always imagined that if something like this happened, the theatre at apple would be a perfect place to gather and watch. obviously not in their eyes.

actually, it's probably because of too many people coming in to use computers..

They've probably been told to close up for today. It would be irresponsible of Apple to provide a service like that, if another attack happened in the area the emergency services would have to evacuate more buildings than necessary.

[Zaid]

Hey guys, just checking in.

Is everyone in London OK?

I'm working in Edinburgh this week, but right now i really want to be at home. Even though there is nothing i could do i feel even more helpless up here! (stupid i know)

One of the stations affected is 10 min from where i live!

[fitinferno]

It's weird watching Big Brother Live now with what's going on. I had to change the channel off the news cuz I couldn't watch anymore...and it's weird to watch them and know they don't know...

[Lau]

It's weird watching Big Brother Live now with what's going on. I had to change the channel off the news cuz I couldn't watch anymore...and it's weird to watch them and know they don't know...

I never thought of that. Think they'll tell them? They could have family caught up. They must be the only people in the UK who haven't heard.

[eva01]

Apparently right now an islamic group is claiming responsibility. Yet they are unsure

[barneygumble]

I am hearing report sof twelve dead, and at least 150 injured seriously may i repeat my previous statement rot you bastards rot :mad:

[Sharewaredemon]

Apparently right now an islamic group is claiming responsibility. Yet they are unsure



The way you worded that, it sounds like the Islamic group isn't sure if they are going to claim responsibility.

[eva01]

The way you worded that, it sounds like the Islamic group isn't sure if they are going to claim responsibility.


the news stations are unsure. sorry for the wording

[Sharewaredemon]

the news stations are unsure. sorry for the wording


It's ok, I understood what you meant. I just thought it was funny.

[Jedda]

Amazing.

I first heard power problems and went away.

Came back, and its full terrorism.

My heart goes out to the victims and their families.

[hob]

It's weird watching Big Brother Live now with what's going on. I had to change the channel off the news cuz I couldn't watch anymore...and it's weird to watch them and know they don't know...
Not a big fan of Big Brother but was scanning the channels and noticed BB Live and was wondering why they weren't more upset - now I realise they are totally cut off. They should really tell them. Imagine coming out and learning this happened 6 weeks ago or something

[emw]

So shocking and saddening. My heart goes out to all over there - hopefully the casualties will be low. I won't have much time to check in today, so please know that I'm thinking of all of you over there. Stay safe.

[fitinferno]

I never thought of that. Think they'll tell them? They could have family caught up. They must be the only people in the UK who haven't heard.

I was wondering that too. Obviously a few of them have connections in London...so something may have happened. But I guess the series knows most of the names/numbers of the people important to them? Maybe they'll tell them if something's happened to someone they know, but otherwise not?

But still, it's very weird...they're going about planning food rationing while I'm going on worried about my friend who works at Liverpool St :(

[Lau]

I'm going on worried about my friend who works at Liverpool St :(

I hope they're ok. Although it seems really scary, it is still a reasonably small number of the London population affected. Even though your friend works nearby, they are probably ok. My thoughts are with you, mate. (And anyone else who is worried about loved ones).

The only person i know who would have actually travelled through those stations is my dad, and as he's a lazy bastard he was just traveling in from Essex, and my brother phoned him and he went back home again.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I really don't give a f...udge about BB in general. And in light of today's events it's the relevance of what those stupid ... are doing or knowing is completely irrelevant... :rolleyes: :mad:

[Jaffa Cake]

Apparently right now an islamic group is claiming responsibility.The source is unconfirmed, but the transcript is up on the BBC. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4660391.stm)

[Bakey]

But I guess the series knows most of the names/numbers of the people important to them? Maybe they'll tell them if something's happened to someone they know, but otherwise not?

I think you've hit the nail on the head! Wasn't BB-US running when 9/11 occured? I'm sure a similar stance was taken there as well.... I could be wrong of course!?

[mgargan1]

I just want to express my sympathy for you guys in London, and all of England. My hearts go out to you, and I know the sick feeling you have right now. It's that hold your breath feeling, where you don't know what to think.

[Bakey]

They've even closed the Wetherspoons!!!!! It must be serious!!!!!

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

So, what's the latest with yourself - are you still couped-up in the Wharf?

[asif786]

people have been sending videophone footage into the news channels..hopefully it will start to come online soon so we can start to understand just what it was like inside those trains.

an aunt of mine who was on her way to work at south kensington was TWO TRAINS behind one of the bombed ones. I'm sorry, but if that happened to me i would be *totally* freaked out.

[zimv20]

The source is unconfirmed, but the transcript is up on the BBC. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4660391.stm)

from the statement: We have fulfilled our promise and carried out our blessed military raid in Britain after our mujahideen exerted strenuous efforts over a long period of time to ensure the success of the raid.
sounds like it's over, eh? this round, anyway.

edit: for those who haven't clicked, the group claiming responsibility is the Secret Organisation Group of al-Qaeda of Jihad Organisation in Europe.

[eva01]

So my question is what does the governments do with subway systems? Is it possible to check every single person that goes onto the subway and busses? is that where we are now?

also apparently this group that claimed responsibility also stated for denmark and italy to pull their troops out of Iraq.....

[fitinferno]

I hope they're ok. Although it seems really scary, it is still a reasonably small number of the London population affected. Even though your friend works nearby, they are probably ok. My thoughts are with you, mate. (And anyone else who is worried about loved ones).

The only person i know who would have actually travelled through those stations is my dad, and as he's a lazy bastard he was just traveling in from Essex, and my brother phoned him and he went back home again.

It is a reasonably small number, so that is good. And most of the people I know are poor students who can't afford the tube. I'm sure he's fine...it's just, I don't know how he travels to work, but I know he generally gets there very early. So he was probably already at work...but he's on Vodafone, so I can't confirm...kinda frustrating.

Glad to hear your dad wound up turning around and going home! It's always good just to be able to be sure your ppl are safe.

[florencevassy]

I am so sorry my heart goes out to all of you. This is so terrible.
Flo (in Midtown Manhattan).

[zimv20]

Is it possible to check every single person that goes onto the subway and busses? is that where we are now?

not without increasing travel times 10 or 100 fold. anyone wishing to disrupt any organized system has entropy on their side. it's not possible to defeat terrorism, so long as the desire to effect political change through violence remains.

[iGary]

Sad, sad, sad.

When are we going to take care of these people once and for all?

I'm terribly upset, for real. :(

[Sol]

Public transport is popular in London and the terrorists are hoping that people will be scared off busses and trains. Maybe they just wanted to hurt as many people as possible. Who knows? The frustrating thing about these attacks is that no-one has taken responsibility for them, leaving a lot of angry and confused people to clean up the mess.

[Lau]

Michael Howard's being interviewed now, bit of a contrast between him and Blair. Howard seems a bit bumbling and rubbish. Although it's different to doing a speech, I suppose.

[20rogersc]

My thoughts go out to everyone who was affected by the daft actions of others.

We are just lucky that there were only a few fatalities, and I just hope that the government will be able to sort this out quickly and thoroughly, and that G8 will be able to continue help ths world.

::20ROGERSC::

[fitinferno]

Public transport is popular in London and the terrorists are hoping that people will be scared off busses and trains. Maybe they just wanted to hurt as many people as possible. Who knows? The frustrating thing about these attacks is that no-one has taken responsibility for them, leaving a lot of angry and confused people to clean up the mess.

That seems to be something they really do want to do when it comes to terrorism in London. But it's not necessarily that they want to scare them off buses and trains in general. They want fear overall. They want you to be afraid to go out of the house and they want you to worry about what will happen to you when you do. And in many cases, it works. One of my friends last year couldn't wait to get out of London because she was so scared of something happening to her on a tube or a bus.

The way I see it, however, is that if I were to be scared into not taking the tube or bus, the terrorists win. And, various things can always happen when you go out. There's a number of ways that one could wind up getting hurt or killed upon leaving the house and even within the house. I took out the last sentence here because I felt it's not explained well enough. Increased advertisement doesn't mean increased statistics is what it added up to, though.

[eva01]

Apparently one report is stating that there are people trapped in a subway station now. I hope they get to them safely

[Jaffa Cake]

We are just lucky that there were only a few fatalities...I've got a horrible feeling that the number of fatalities is going to increase greatly. With many of the bombs going off in underground tunnels, it's very likely that there are a lot of bodies down there. We won't get a clearer picture until the emergency services have had a chance to really get into the scene of the explosions.

[mgargan1]

I really hope that our respective nations can come together and first, try to keep London's citizens safe, keep their economy strong, and then once we make sure that all this is taken care of, that we can go after these people who have "no respect for human life"

[robbieduncan]

The way I see it, however, is that if I were to be scared into not taking the tube or bus, the terrorists win. And, various things can always happen when you go out. There's a number of ways that one could wind up getting hurt or killed upon leaving the house and even within the house. I took out the last sentence here because I felt it's not explained well enough. Increased advertisement doesn't mean increased statistics is what it added up to, though.

Well said. Assuming that the DLR is running by the time I leave work I'll be taking it home without hesitation. You are probably more likely to be run over by a bus than blown up on one (at least in London).

[john_satc]

confirmed 45 dead with over 1000 casualties - 150 seriously. disugsting.

[hob]

I don't mean to cause excess alarm but I have a mate working at Churchill Insurance in Bromley South - Extreme SE London (i live the next town over), and he says he can't leave the building - Bromley South station is closed and guarded and their Croydon office has been evacuated due to yet another bomb scare. This day could get worse.

[liketom]

it's a sad day when we have to worry about using the public transport

i've been following the news all day and i am still shocked with whats gone on today - i just hope this is the end of the attacks and not the start of things to come.

my heart goes out to all people in london and there familys involved in this dreadfull attack

we will not change our way of life for these evil people

[mgargan1]

We are just lucky that there were only a few fatalities
::20ROGERSC::

While I understand what you are saying, it's not the body count that terrorists try to go after. It's the fear that they want to instill in you. Even if there weren't any deaths, there could be a hospital room full of 90+ injured people. You also have people afraid to go out and spend money, which will cripple the economy.

Just think about what you write before you submit it. Try telling what you said to the families that lost loved ones. Again, I know what you meant, and I'm greatful that more people didn't lose their lives, but just they way you worded it sounded harsh to me.

[Otto Rehhagel]

I just ran across these pictures, one of them is a cell phone pic of someone in a subway. I hope they all get out okay.

Subway Pic (http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41277000/jpg/_41277737_trapped_keith_tagg.jpg)
BBC Pictures (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4659489.stm)

I hear lots of people are receiving pics from their friends and families.

[fitinferno]

I don't mean to cause excess alarm but I have a mate working at Churchill Insurance in Bromley South - Extreme SE London (i live the next town over), and he says he can't leave the building - Bromley South station is closed and guarded and their Croydon office has been evacuated due to yet another bomb scare. This day could get worse.

They are trying their best to keep people in their places. All the stations, I would guess, are being guarded today, at least if they are anywhere within Zone 1 and 2 here.

Since he is working there, they have a better time forcing them to stay in. The place where I live is trying to get us to stay in (SE1), but since we live here, they can't really force us...

[Lau]

I don't mean to cause excess alarm but I have a mate working at Churchill Insurance in Bromley South - Extreme SE London (i live the next town over), and he says he can't leave the building - Bromley South station is closed and guarded and their Croydon office has been evacuated due to yet another bomb scare. This day could get worse.

Hopefully it's a false alarm. they closed Swindon station earlier because of a suspicious package on the platform, and obviously took it mega seriously, and evacuated trains, station, everything, then had to do a controlled explosion. It turned out to just be a package some arse had left on the platform.

So I expect they are (quite rightly) taking everything that could possibly be suspicious as very suspicious, and hopefully it's just a false alarm.

[geese]

Does anyone know which underground line the bombed train was on? I think I might be very lucky to be here.

[asif786]

Does anyone know which underground line the bombed train was on? I think I might be very lucky to be here.

i would guess it's the district and/or hammersmith + city line. maybe the circle line too.

doing on the central line would've been even more deadly.

on a side note, i know i'll definitely be back on public transport as soon as it gets back on.

[robbieduncan]

i would guess it's the district and/or hammersmith + city line. maybe the circle line too.

doing on the central line would've been even more deadly.

on a side note, i know i'll definitely be back on public transport as soon as it gets back on.

Hamersmith & City has been mentioned specifically with relation to at least one of the explosions (Edgware Road I think).

[fitinferno]

i would guess it's the district and/or hammersmith + city line. maybe the circle line too.

doing on the central line would've been even more deadly.

on a side note, i know i'll definitely be back on public transport as soon as it gets back on.

Glad to see you'll be back on tfl as soon as it's running again.

[idea_hamster]

i dont live anywhere near london but it feels like an unknown appendage has been ripped off by someone and bitten.
As someone who had to walk out through the dust in lower Manhattan on 9/11, I truly commizerate with this sentiment. I remember that day and only being able to think "How could anyone do this to anyone else." The entire thing struck me as so completely beyond the pale that I really doubted that there could be any underlying sentiment that I could ever hope to understand.

I've put alot of effort into trying to understand the animating ideals behind these attacks, but I'm afraid that I have made precious little progress.

[dcv]

Does anyone know which underground line the bombed train was on? I think I might be very lucky to be here.

Edgware Rd = there are 2 stations, one is bakerloo, one is hammersmith & city and circle line. not sure which one it was but am guessing the circle/h&c one (based on the other stations affected)

Moorgate = circle/hamm&city/metropolitan
Liverpool St = circle/hamm&city/metropolitan and central line
Aldgate East = hamm&city & district line
Kings Cross = circle/hamm&city/metropolitan + piccadilly & northern lines

Russell square off the top of my head i think is just on the piccadilly line

Most of the tube stations in question are on sub-surface lines - the circle/metropolitan/hammersmith & city lines run just below street level in central london and/or with some open sections, not like some of the other deep level lines. So if we can be thankful for anything from the tragedies today it's that people were able to be evacuated fairly quickly - it could have been a lot worse.

[grapes911]

I just heard of this horrific event and a few tears started flowing from my eyes. I remember 9-11 when I had family right around the Twin Towers. Thankfully they were all ok, but it took all day for them to get through and tell us. This terrorist thing to so far out of hand its ridiculous. I can't imagine what makes people do these things. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and all of England. As an American I feel somewhat responsible because from some reports I hear this was because of England's involvement with American in the Middle East. Strong countries such as England and American must continue to work together to rid the world of these horrible, horrible people.

[Lyle]

My wife called her brother in London this morning, and he and his family all made it home OK. (I'm pretty sure that they live away from where most of the explosions occurred, although I'm not too familiar with London geography.)

As many others have already said, our thoughts and prayers go out to all Londoners today. Please stay safe.

[zimv20]

7/7 and numerology aside, i believe only 4 blasts have been confirmed.

if the responsible group really wanted to play the number game, wouldn't they have gone for 8 bombings for G8?

then again, there are reports of undetonated devices found.

[evilernie]

Hearing the news this morning made 9/11 feel like it was yesterday. How can people do these things? And in the name of a god no less. Sickening.

My sympathies go out to the victims and their families. Please know that our thoughts are with you here in America. :(

[mgargan1]

I just heard of this horrific event and a few tears started flowing from my eyes. I remember 9-11 when I had family right around the Twin Towers. Thankfully they were all ok, but it took all day for them to get through and tell us. This terrorist thing to so far out of hand its ridiculous. I can't imagine what makes people do these things. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and all of England. As an American I feel somewhat responsible because from some reports I hear this was because of England's involvement with American in the Middle East. Strong countries such as England and American must continue to work together to rid the world of these horrible, horrible people.


well said

[mkrishnan]

I just want to say that my thoughts go out to everyone in London right now... but especially our MR people and their families, since I know we have a lot of people there. I hope that we can all live in a world together where terrorism doesn't happen anymore someday soon. :(

[SilentPanda]

This seems to be a good source of information with constant updating...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_London_transport_explosions

[aricher]

I just want to say that my thoughts go out to everyone in London right now... but especially our MR people and their families, since I know we have a lot of people there. I hope that we can all live in a world together where terrorism doesn't happen anymore someday soon. :(

Here here. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in London today - be careful and safe.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

This seems to be a good source of information with constant updating...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_London_transport_explosionsThanks for that link... seems very thorough...

[iBlue]

Hearing the news this morning made 9/11 feel like it was yesterday. How can people do these things? And in the name of a god no less. Sickening.


agreed.

it's a sad fact sometimes relgion is the gateway drug to violence. (or so the saying goes)

this is so sad... this is just a concept I cannot wrap my mind around - yet another "what could they possibly be thinking?"

:(

[jsw]

I slept in today due to being up all night with my newborn daughter. What a horrible thing to wake up to. And, as others have mentioned, how terrible that this is something which would get only a fleeting mention on the news if it had occurred in Iraq.

[asif786]

Lets try to keep this thread free of conflict in respect of those who have been injured and killed today in this senseless act and in memory of innocent people who have been killed or had their lives destroyed by terrorism and acts of warfare. Regardless of the cause and/or political/religious motives that fuel these acts it is just sad that innocent people have to suffer.

My thoughts go out to those in London today.

Thanks. Hopefully you're comment will start to wind down the political comments. I dont want to see this 'historical' thread turned into a political flamewar (i, for one, am sick of politics being involved in everything) and i'm sure many others will agree that this thread should remain in current events.

Just MHO

[mgargan1]

to all the people in London,

Have you gotten any work done at all today? I know I didn't get anything done on sept. 11th

[yellow]

Where was the intelligence community on this one? Horrible, horrible, horrible. Be safe Londoners.

[sreedy]

Has it even been confirmed yet that the Web site claiming responsibility is genuine? A little while ago at the London press conference, the city representatives were treating it as iffy.

Some "expert" on BBC Radio 5 said "that particular website claims responsibility for almost any bombing, so I wouldn't assume its genuine".

So...... who knows!

[Sayhey]

Just want to add that, just as others have already said, my thoughts and well wishes go out to the good people of London. Today everyone who values peace and justice is a Londoner at heart. Be safe "mates"!

[Lau]

They're just saying now that there were only 4 blasts. One was between Liverpool St and Aldgate East, and one was between Kings Cross and Russell Square. This got counted as 4 rather than 2. The other 2 were one at Edgware road, and one on the bus.

edit: The one that they thought was Moorgate was a knock on effect from the Liverpool St one.

[dubbz]

Oh no... :(

[mxpiazza]

my thoughts are with not only our MacRumors members in London and thier safety, but with all the people of London and the families of those who have lost someone today..

[clayj]

As someone who lived in England for three years, what happened today really hurts... almost as much as if it happened again here in the US.

[wdlove]

This was such a heinous and cowardly act. My prayers are with the victims and their families. Also thoughts are with fellow MacRumors members in Britain. :(

[WinterMute]

I've moved the political discussion to it's own thread in the politics forum, go there to continue your political discussion/rant/free-form word association please.

Any other politically motivated posts here will de deleted.

Sorry if I missed anyone in the move.

Note: The political discussion thread is here.

[zimv20]

They're just saying now that there were only 4 blasts. One was between Liverpool St and Aldgate East, and one was between Kings Cross and Russell Square. This got counted as 4 rather than 2. The other 2 were one at Edgware road, and one on the bus.

edit: The one that they thought was Moorgate was a knock on effect from the Liverpool St one.
from here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/london_blasts/html/default.stm)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/london_blasts/img/nav_629.gif

[Thomas Veil]

So my question is what does the governments do with subway systems? Is it possible to check every single person that goes onto the subway and busses? is that where we are now?I'm sure that's a huge part of the reason they pulled this kind of attack: we're good at defending other kinds of targets, but what can you do with subways and buses? You can't inspect every single bag -- it's just not feasible. And even if you did, they could still have suicide bombers with strap-on explosives accomplish the same thing.

I don't know. The only thing I can think of is similar to the "air marshall" idea -- have cops with bomb-sniffing dogs riding on random subways and buses.

Even if that were to deter the terrorists from another attack of this kind, though, they'd just find another kind of soft target that's hard to protect, like schools. That's the problem with these guys -- trying to beat them is like playing Whack-a-Mole. You knock 'em down in one place and they pop up somewhere else.

[ham_man]

Man, just woke up to this news. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in London this morning...

[MongoTheGeek]

I don't know. The only thing I can think of is similar to the "air marshall" idea -- have cops with bomb-sniffing dogs riding on random subways and buses.

I don't know about london but in NY and DC there is a good police presence on the subway.

Actually there is a good solution to prevent this in London. Make the Underground Nude only. I've heard they keep it warm enough ;)

[stubeeef]

Man, just woke up to this news. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in London this morning...

Are you in Alaska or Hawaii? Or late night?

[Peterkro]

Its 3.15 am in Sydney and 5.15 in wellywood most people aren't awake yet.

[CorvusCamenarum]

A lot of prayers, and an observation or two:

Am I alone in thinking that this might have anything to do with yesterdays' Olympic announcement? One might think that if the plan was to disrupt the summit in Edinburgh then they would strike closer to there.

All that being said, prayers out to those who need it.

[ham_man]

Are you in Alaska or Hawaii? Or late night?
Texas...:o

[iMeowbot]

Am I alone in thinking that this might have anything to do with yesterdays' Olympic announcement? One might think that if the plan was to disrupt the summit in Edinburgh then they would strike closer to there.
The thing with the Olympics is, well, they're several years away. An attack now wouldn't still have people unsettled by then. G8 summits, on the other hand, routinely attract all sorts of anarchist groups :(

[zimv20]

according to a friend who works at canary wharf, and just tried to leave, they recently locked down the square "as a precaution" and aren't letting anyone out, and i presume in.

[Peterkro]

The thing with the Olympics is, well, they're several years away. An attack now wouldn't still have people unsettled by then. G8 summits, on the other hand, routinely attract all sorts of anarchist groups :(
Have you any evidence of Anarchist groups deliberately killing people,sure propaganda of the deed circa late nineteenth century but they wre political leaders and deserved all they got.
:mad:

[Jaffa Cake]

Am I alone in thinking that this might have anything to do with yesterdays' Olympic announcement? One might think that if the plan was to disrupt the summit in Edinburgh then they would strike closer to there.I doubt there's a link to the Olympic announcement. If the intention was to disrupt London's celebrations, a better time to attack would surely have been in Trafalger Square yesterday, or at the celebration party that has since been cancelled. Also, it was impossible to predict (even yesterday) whether we would have got the Games or not and a co-ordinated attack such as this would have required months of planning, which would have been wasted if another city had got the nod ahead of London.

Certainly, the attack has taken place a long way away from Edinburgh but in my mind at least it's too much of a coincidence that it has taken place on the opening day of the talks. The terrorists appear to be sending a clear warning to the leaders there that the threat of terrorism has not gone away, and a stark message to Tony Blair – striking at his capital and his people as he welcomes some of the most powerful men in the world to Britain.

[mac-er]

We are all Britons today...

Our thoughts are with you friends...

[24C]

IMO it's not an Olympic 2012 decision related attack, but it was a surprise and with reflection in some ways not. We all know other capitals have been attacked, it was more a question of when ours was. Sympathies go out to all those that lost loved ones and to the injured ones that survived. I watched a lot of it on the news today, since it started breaking and the only good thing so far is that casualties are not as heavy as they could have been or that other or more powerful devices weren't used.
I do hope they catch those responsible.

[zimv20]

according to a friend who works at canary wharf, and just tried to leave, they recently locked down the square "as a precaution" and aren't letting anyone out, and i presume in.
situation was temporary. they've since re-opened the square.

[MacsRgr8]

Disastrous. :(

My thoughts are with those who have had to experience this madness.

I go to London every year, and have lived close (Slough) for 7 years of my life. I love England, and consider it to be my second home.

No-one can forget New York's horrific attack.
Madrid is still in our memory.
And now London.
:( :mad:

Who's next? Some peole say that my home country is next on the list, according to the list of nations who support the military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan....

[Switzermac]

LONDON RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MacsRgr8]

LONDON RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I second that!!!

[Yebot]

London RULES!!!!

Tony Blair is the MAN.

(edit.)

[edesignuk]

(edit)Their friends and relatives may well have absolutely nothing to do with it. As Blair was quick to point out, these are the actions of a few individuals, and to start blaming anyone and everyone associated with these ******* does no one any good :rolleyes:

[Yebot]

Point taken.

How 'bout "cell mates" ?

[tech4all]

Very sad to hear about this event. I think it happened right when I went to bed last night. Hope everyone here at MR is OK.

My heart goes out to all London :(