Clova realpolitik

Impact of these attacks in London

This statement from the Met Police sums it up.

But I think the bad guys will understimate the impact in Britain of this attack. During the 70's, the IRA phoned in advance, and in general people knew to avoid Kilburn being the Irish hang out. I remember it as terrible, but it was "homegrown terrible".

This is a different story, and local Brit reactions will reflect the sense of anger at the perpetrators - watch for this in the coming days/ weeks. It will also refect an "is that the best you can do" that is characteristic of Brits.

Metropolitan Police Service

There are four confirmed sites where police are dealing with reported explosions this morning. These are:

1) Russell Square and King’s Cross underground
2) Moorgate, Aldgate, and Liverpool Street underground
3) Edgware Road underground
4) Tavistock Square, where there has been a confirmed explosion on a bus.

The emergency services are working together in a co-ordinated response and liaising with hospitals to rescue those injured.

The London Underground system has been suspended however the Network Rail system is still in operation. We would urge anyone who doesn’t need to come into London today not to do so. If you are already in London wherever possible please limit travelling around the capital.

The Met continues to respond to 999 emergency calls but non-emergency calls will have a seriously delayed response.

We cannot at this stage confirm the number of those injured, though casualties are multiple. There are believed fatalities but again numbers are not confirmed.We are also asking members of the public not to contact police at this stage
unless it is a genuine emergency.

There is likely to be some disruption to children’s journeys home from schools. Schools will be liaising with local education authorities to ensure that children are kept safe until arrangements can be made with their parents to collect them.

We will be issuing a telephone number shortly for Casualty Bureau.

July 7, 2005 at 10:40 AM in Terrorism | Permalink | Top of page | Blog Home