Report from London

[Brian_Expat]

This was no power surge, folks.

BBC Radio 5 reporting over fifty dead in Aldgate East station -- a station I regularly pass through on my way to work (decided to work from home today, that might have saved my life).

At least one bus (possibly two) has exploded -- confirmed in Tavistock Square and possibly Russell Square as well.

I am south of the river and can smell smoke and hear sirens.

The phone network has crashed. Nobody on the news knows what's going on.

This feels eerily like 9/11.

All trains in London are now shut down -- the entire transit infrastructure has collapsed. ITV are saying it's "co-ordinated bombing."

[Maddy McCall]

1. I'm so glad you stayed home today.

Please keep us updated.

[Brian_Expat]

2. I can smell smoke

And the phone network has completely collapsed -- I cannot make a call to save my life.

Sirens everywhere. And even south of the river, far from the reported explosions. I can also smell a horrible, acrid smoke smell which must have drifted across the river from the sites.

Unconfirmed reports of even more explosions on busses. Dear God, nobody seems to know what's going on.

[fleabert]

3. oh dear. I am so sorry.

please don't get offline unless you tell us you are getting off, and let us know when you come back!

thanks for posting. you and everyone there are in my thoughts...

[fooj]

5. Stay safe.

Try and keep us updated and please take good care. At least we are here with you so you don't feel so alone.


Peace.

[murielm99]

4. I am so glad you are safe, Brian.

This is giving me chills.

My prayers are with you Londoners.

[fujiyama]

77. My stomach is sick and I'm shaking

My cousin and her husband live in Leeds.

THis is awful.

[Brian_Expat]

6. They're targeting buses too

At least three buses have been destroyed according to the radio news now. I am in shock.

[Brian_Expat]

7. BBC reports at least six explosions in the tube. n/t

[cynatnite]

9. Another was a double decker bus n/t

[Brian_Expat]

12. Three double-deckers so far. . .

. . . and reports of many many more.

[cynatnite]

14. How many explosions was there?

I heard six in the tube and one double decker. :cry:

[Brian_Expat]

19. Seven confirmed in the tube and three buses, with "likely many more" n/t

[Oggy]

11. How far south are you?

I didn't go in to work today because my daughter is ill. Otherwise I'd have been caught up in it.

[Brian_Expat]

13. I'm in Canada Water area

And I can smell smoke that the wind is carrying over from central.

[Brian_Expat]

17. Seven different tube stations targeted as confirmed by police

Explosions at King's Cross, Russel Square, Liverpool Street, Edgware Road, Bank and Aldgate/Aldgate East stations.

Reports of "chaos" at Green Park station near Buckingham Palace.

Armed police storming Central London now -- people are being locked in their offices.

[whatever4]

37. omg

I am so sorry, this sounds huge, seven stations? Oh lord, it almost does sound like another 911. Nothing on CNN yet. Jesus I'm sorry Brian.

[Brian_Expat]

42. Charles Clarke has confirmed terror attack from Westminster

He is urging calm. All Londoners encouraged to stay at home, not travel. All people outside London urged to sit tight.

"Dozens of reported events" and "many horrible injuries" being two quotes he used. :(

[Oggy]

22. I used to live there myself on Plough way.

The govt is now talking about terrorist attacks.

[Blue Gardener]

57. Glad you are safe

And hope your daughter feels better soon.

[Oggy]

72. Thanks

Just a virus, and she is playing it a bit!

[whirlygigspin]

8. listen to BBC5live online

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/

[Brian_Expat]

10. Emergency services are crippled due to G8 summit

Apparently most of the security personnel are in Scotland, not London, so response has been slower with the remaining personnel.

Entire London transit network is closed. Radio 5 interviewed a police officer saying there may be "hundreds" of casualties already :(

[enigmatic]

15. Oh man.............

Keep us upated and stay safe my friend..

[Melodybe]

18. No kidding, take care of your self!

You are in my prayers.

[Redneck Socialist]

16. Jesus, this is terrible. I'm glad your safe.

Please keep us updated if you can.

[Garbo 2004]

20. A nightmare....my thoughts are with those in London.

Damn Damn Damn

[crimson333]

21. Do you think this has anything to do with getting the olympic bid

on top of a US ally

nevermind they just mentioned that on CNN

[Maddy McCall]

25. Probably also G8 related.

[fleabert]

23. and y'all just got the Olympics... oh dear. nt

[Brian_Expat]

24. London under official State of Emergency. n/t

[Maddy McCall]

27. Are you ok?

Please PM me if I can help in any way. If I can make a phone call for you or do anything to help you, just let me know. :hug:

[Brian_Expat]

31. Thank you, I am OK.

I live on the south side of the river, all the activity appears to be happening in Central London though Canary Wharf (big skyscraper complex), right across the river from me, has been evacuated.

I will post news until I get tired.

[Maddy McCall]

40. I'm very serious about phone calls.

If you need me to call anyone for you, PM me.

:hug:

[Brian_Expat]

48. Bless you

I've already got my phone calls out (right before the lines went dead), but if you would make it a general offer I am sure there are Londoners out there who would appreciate your help.

[swag]

26. From Financial Times

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/811a3330-eec3-11d9-8b10-00000e2511c8.html

Explosions cause chaos across London
By FT reporters
Published: July 7 2005 09:48 | Last updated: July 7 2005 10:29

A series of explosions on the London Underground and on three buses have left several people injured and caused services to be suspended across the city.

The immediate cause of the Tube blasts, the first of which was reported at 8.49am at Aldgate station, was described by the British Transport Police as a power surge. The BTP confirmed there were a number of “walking wounded” and one report of a person classed as “life at risk”.

Four other incidents were reported at Edgeware Road station, King’s Cross, Old Street and Russell Square.

The Metropolitan Police also confirmed reports of explosions on three buses, one of which happened in Tavistock Square just minutes after the blasts on the Underground.
. . .

[Brian_Expat]

32. British Transport Police headquarters appearently near one of the blasts.

[Brian_Expat]

28. Canary Wharf evacuated. Six buses now confirmed destroyed. 7 tube stations

[brettdale]

29. Oh No

I hope its just a chain reaction, from the power surge, it doesnt look good. although cnn is still saying power surge.

[fooj]

30. Hang in there. We send our thoughts and prayers...

peace.

[cynatnite]

34. I second that

We're thinking of everyone in the UK. My heart is there. :grouphug:

[American in Asia]

33. I just heard...

this is horrible. My thoughts and prayers with everyone in London.

[DoYouEverWonder]

35. Thanks for letting us know what's going on there

Stay safe.

[spuddonna]

36. We're praying for you and everyone over there... n/t

[wakeme2008]

38. I am smelling bin Forgotten at work

:( :(

:grouphug:

[maddezmom]

39. Thanks for the updates

glad you are safe.

[Ms. K]

41. I knew something was coming....

But I didn't know it would be this soon.

When I saw on the news this morning that London had been awarded the 2012 Olympic Games, and that the G8 Summit was starting up, I had a reaction deep inside, that something bad was going to happen.

Now, you may not believe in the psychic, but I know that it was the same feeling I had in the few weeks before 9/11. And it scared me to no end.

Hearing about this, reading what has been said, and just KNOWING that this can't possibly be due to a power surge, I'm being overwhelmed.

Please, do stay safe. You're in my thoughts, and I will for sure be asking for protection for everyone in your corner of the world.

[cynatnite]

43. Blair will be making a statement at the top of the hour n/t

[Brian_Expat]

44. Charles Clarke has confirmed terror attack from Westminster

He is urging calm. All Londoners encouraged to stay at home, not travel. All people outside London urged to sit tight.

"Dozens of reported events" and "many horrible injuries" being two quotes he used.

[enigmatic]

45. Shit!

I've got BBC on right now and it looks horrible..

[Maddy McCall]

46. It sounds much worse than what is being shown on TV here.

Thanks for the updates.

[Brian_Expat]

47. Another bomb reported a couple minutes ago in Hounsditch

It keeps getting worse and worse.

This appears to be a highly co-ordinated, sophisticated time-targeted bombing campaign.

[NMMNG]

53. Unbelievable

Just un-freaking-believable. :yoiks:


I hope they get things under control over there soon for everybody's sake. :grouphug:

I just wonder if it is "real" terrorist action or some fake garbage to enlist support for more war.

[Brian_Expat]

49. Pictures starting to come out

This is the first bus targeted.

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1188265,00.html

Do not look if you don't have a strong constitution. This is the only picture I will post -- I want people to get an idea of what's going on, not have a gore-fest. There were people on that bus.

[muriel_volestrangler]

Brian, have Radio 5 Live stuck with the '50 dead'?

The TV stations haven't given out large figures like that.

[Brian_Expat]

52. Radio 5 now saying "90 casualties at Aldgate". . .

. . . though that could mean dead and wounded. That's just at one of the seven stations :(

[Vladimir]

50. Fucking hell mate, good to know you're ok...

thanks for the info.

[Brian_Expat]

51. Another bomb just reported at Leicester Square

They're still happening :(

[Brian_Expat]

54. Another bomb has just gone off at Liverpool St

They appear to be targeting survivors and emergency services.

The bastards.

The fucking bastards

[Brian_Expat]

55. House of Commons to issue declaration at 12:15

Could be a declaration of martial law.

[Brian_Expat]

56. Central London now closed

Nobody may enter central London.

[dweller]

58. are you still there?

too quiet suddenly. . .

:kick:

dp

[Solly Mack]

59. ((((((Brian_Expat)))))))

Stay safe!

[Brian_Expat]

60. Army has taken to the streets of Covent Garden

A friend of mine has seen armoured vehicles in Central London.

Evacuations and "other events" reported in other areas of the UK -- no information though on what's going on other than Brighton and Swindon stations either evacuated or attacked.

[Bluebear]

61. Brian stay home and stay safe.

[Brian_Expat]

62. I intend to stay here at home. I'm not moving. n/t

[NMMNG]

64. That is good to hear

I hope the worst of it is over, but it is impossible to know at this point.

I will be offline very soon and going to bed but I'll check the news after I get up. As soon as I can I'll log in and check up on you.

:hug:

With metta

[Brian_Expat]

63. Fighter jets flying over London

One just flew low overhead.

[Brian_Expat]

65. Army has sealed off Buckingham Palace

I would not be surprised if the Royal Family are being escorted to safety right now.

[Brian_Expat]

66. Controlled explosions happening as army defuse bombs

Apparently lots of bombs are being discovered which haven't yet detonated. They're setting them off in a controlled fashion to defuse them.

[DoYouEverWonder]

70. This is just nuts

I just hope some of these reports turn out not to be true. Kiss what ever freedoms we had goodbye.

[Brian_Expat]

67. Explosion reported at St. Pancras station n/t

[Bluebear]

68. Is this a 'fresh' one or at the same time as the originals?

[Brian_Expat]

71. "Freshly" reported. n/t

[NMMNG]

69. ABC News special report

Now saying it was likely a "Coordinated series of terrorist attacks".

[cynatnite]

73. Richard Clarke is on n/t

[Lindsay]

74. My thoughts and prayers are with you

and everyone there.

This is almost too much to bear for me here in the US. I can't imagine what it's like to be there.

[DemonFighterLives]

75. Thanks for the updates

Take care Brian.
I'm watching MSNBC which is doing a fair job. They just showed the bus. Now stating that Pres. Bush has been briefed in Scotland, not that that is any consolation.
:grouphug:

[Zhade]

76. How many is it up to now? 15, 16?

Insane.

Stay safe!

[satya]

78. 6 blasts confirmed, per MSNBC. n/t

[satya]

80. BBC America reporting police believe there have been 7 blasts. n/t

[scarletlib]

79. I am glad you are safe my DU Brother

My sympathies to you and all of your compatriots in England. I am so deeply sorry that we human beings continue to inflict pain and suffering on the innocent. My thoughts go also to all of those innocent victims of terror and occupation in Iraq.

All around the world madness rears its ugly head. It is so sad. Genocide in Darfur and on and on.

Here is the 21st century yet we still act like 20th century savages.

[Adelante]

81. I am so sorry this is happening

Sorry for you and all the people of London.

I hate this :cry:

[DoYouEverWonder]

82. Kick

n/t

[GoneOffShore]

83. Updated BBC News Link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4659093.stm

[Hell Hath No Fury]

84. Stay safe and sane, Brian....

and I for one want to say to all the Brits onboard this yank is so very, very sorry that we dragged you into this shitty mess of our own making. :cry: I am so ashamed of my country these days.

[smirkymonkey]

85. I am so sorry for your tragedy and for some of the heartless

comments on this board. Please know that our hearts are with you at this time. Be well.