Prague Journal

Thursday, July 7, 2005.

A string of explosions rocked at least three London subway trains and ripped apart a double-decker bus during this morning’s rush hour, killing more than 33 people, injuring more than 360 and sending bloodied victims fleeing from debris-strewn blast sites. The first explosion, at 8:51 a.m. (0751 GMT), caught a Tube (subway) train which was 100 yards (meters) into a Circle Line tunnel outside Moorgate station in the financial district, killing at least 7 people. The second blast, at 8:56 a.m., hit a Piccadilly line train between the King’s Cross and Russell Square stations, killing 21. The third explosion, at 9:17 a.m (0817 GMT), killed five people, and involved two and possibly three trains. The blast that ripped apart the double-decker bus was reported at 9:47a.m. (0847 GMT). This is the worst attack on London since World War II, coming just a day after an overjoyed city celebrated its successful bid to hold the 2012 Olympics. Streets echoed with sirens and the entire bus and underground transport network was shut down. BBC TV broadcast footage of a paramedic trying to revive one of the wounded, pumping the chest of his bloodied and blackened body. Police said they had received no claim of responsibility.
Elaph, a secular Arabic-language news Web site, and Germany’s Der Spiegel news magazine reported that “Secret Organization – al-Qaida in Europe” claimed the explosions were in retaliation for Britain’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. The whole of Europe was in a state of alert Thursday. Transportation systems in major U.S. cities also were ordered to be vigilant. U.S. President George W. Bush is in Scotland for the G8 summit, but offered “heartfelt condolences from Americans for the terrorist attacks on London."
My day was spent fairly hunkered down, editing proofs of two articles to send back to journals for publication next month, doing laundry, and watching the terrible news on television.

posted by JWinn @ 6:17 PM