London: Terrorist attacks?

Original post (10:04):

Terrorist attack in London?

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

Interesting notes:

1) This would be the way terrorists would attack London. Attack one of the busy subway hubs, and all of London (and with it, much of the rest of the country) grinds to a halt.
2) Nothing is confirmed, with the G8 going down, and a something happening in rush-hour (at 9.20), this is all very suspicious
3) see how BBC tries to get interviewees

Update, 10:30

• 3 explosions in total: 2 on the tube, 1 on a bus. This is worrying.

Update, 10:36

• Unconfirmed sources say a total of 3 busses have been "bombed". Not sure if that means "explosions" or confirmed bombs.

Update, 10:45

• There were "explosive devices" on at least one of the tubes. May have been 3 explosions on the tube, at Edgware Road, King's Cross and Aldgate.

Update, 10:50

• ""All of the emergency services are on scene. There have been some casualties. This has been declared as a major incident. It's too early to state what has happened at this stage," said a spokesman from the Metropolitan Police"

Update, 10:53

• Apparently, another bomb has been found in a garbage bin. The bin is being defused by the army bomb squad.

Update, 10.58

• FT are describing the event as "a co-ordinated terrorist attack"

Update, 11.00

• All of the tube system has been closed, and the London mobile telephone networks have completely broken down, probably due to everyone trying to make sure their loved ones are okay.
• 10 Downing street says that they are not sure it is a terrorist attack
• All London hospitals are on major incident alert.
• Apparently, double-decker busses full of injured people are being used as ambulances in London, escorted by police.

Update, 11.05

• The home office are advising against making unneccesary trips to London.

Update, 11.10

• BBC are collecting eyewitness reports from the events, posting them on-line.

Update, 11.12

• All bus, train and tube services are suspended in inner-city London. Concerns are raised about other large train hubs such as Manchester and Birmingham. The channel tunnel trains are also on raised alert, but not yet cancelled.
• the FTSE index takes a 1% nose-dive, and is still falling, crushing initial optimism after Olympic 2012 victory. Just a detail in the grand scheme of things, but may have long-term effects.

Update, 11.23

• Reuters report more than 90 casualties so far, non-confirmed.

Update, 11.31

• Analysts believe that the attack has been planned for months, unlikely connection with olympics, probably G8
• Deaths have been confirmed in the 6 explosions around London
• Police are not sure about terrorism, Downing street declines to speculate

Police messages:

• "London emergency plan is working"
• "Stay where you are, all transport is stopped"
• "Stay where you are"

Update, 11.32

• 7 confirmed deaths in London.

Update, 11.37

• Airports on high alert.
• Extra armed police mobilising.
• Extra security in and around the G8 summit

Update, 11:45

• Police commissioner Sir Ian Blair "is concerned it may be a co-ordinated attack"
• 4 double-decker busses are being used as treatment centres around the tube stations

Update, 11:48

• Many badly injured people both in bus and tube incidents.
• People tried to break windows and climb out of tube stations. Many people suffered severe lacerations due to the windows not being broken out properly

Update, 11:52

• Cabinet ministers are gathering in COBRA (Cabinet Office Briefing Room A) for emergency briefings and planning.
• London Mayor is in Signapore, Tony Blair is in Scotland - unsure what is happening

Update, 12:01

• 7, not 6 explosions confirmed around the UK
• "Today's explosions in London are almost certainly the work of Al-Qaida. - BBC News 24
• Pictures from the debacle are starting to filter out to the image-distribution service Flickr.


Update, 12:05 - Blair's Statement

• Blair describes events as "terrorist attack".
• Blair is leaving G8 to go to London and formulate a plan, returning later. Meeting continues in Blair's absence.
• Blair: "particularly barbaric, when people are meeting to help the problems in Africa"
• Blair: "It is designed and aimed to co-incide with the opening of G8 summit"
• Blair is clearly shocked and rattled by today's events.
• Blair: "Our determination to protect our values and way of life is greater than their determination to cause death"

Status update: 12:14

• 6 explosions on the tube: Aldgate East, Moorgate, Edgware, Kings cross, Russell Square, Liverpool Road.
• 1 explosion on a doubledecker bus, near Travistock Square.
• Rescue services are active, trying to rescue people from the tube tunnels etc.

Update: 12:55

• People are warned that more explosions may happen. Suggested to stay in-door, and away from windows, if possible.

Update: 12:57

• About of dozen different groups have claimed responsibility for the incident, but it is difficult to be sure whom is actually behind it.