[Forest]

I'm in shock so this will be a bulleted post, so just for anyone who hasn't yet heard:


There were several blasts in London this morning.

Tony Blair leaving G8 to go to London.

Number of casualties unconfirmed.

Bodies being dragged from Kings Cross.

Hospitals on red alert.

Several groups have claimed responsibility (allegedly)




The BBC is doing continuing coverage on this (as is CNN I think) so go to their websites or tune in if you're near a radio or tv.

Any Londoners out there, you and your families are in my thoughts and prayers.

Much love
~Forest

[NancyBrooke]

Please, don't take this as unsympathetic but, what strikes me (poor choice of words) at the moment is how circumspect my regional public radio station is being in reporting this. It seems to me with both the 9/11 attacks in the US and the train bombings in Madrid much more specific - even frenzied - information poured out.

The reports I'm getting -although constant - are very careful, almost shying away from an estimate of injuries/deaths and only now, at 9:30 EST, have I heard the specific "6 explosions at 4 sites."

It's unsettling.

[SilverMoonLady]

Yeah, I noticed the 'restraint' too... But I do hope it's not as bad as it seems and that plenty of thought and information will be used in any sort of response, verbal or otherwise.... It would not do to go off half-cocked (again).

*major good thoughts to all those affected by this*

[SpaceWeavil]

Edit - originally the BBC were reporting 2 fatalities, but a police statement was just issued putting this up to 33+. They still don't know how many people were killed in the Woburn Place blast, but they know there are more fatalities.


I've just spoken with one of my friends who is a tour driver down there (for the company I worked for when I lived in London), just to make sure they were all safe, and he has said it's utter chaos, with most people trying to get out of the city but unable to do so because the underground network, understandably, is closed and so are the rail terminals. They're staying away from the city at least today and tomorrow.

As I've said in the other thread, my thoughts and prayers go out to all those still in the city that I can't help but still call 'home', and I hope all of you and your friends / relatives are safe. Also I wanted to thank those here on OSA who've already contacted me privately with their good wishes. My friend was saying the same thing - that he'd been stunned by the number of folk contacting him to make sure him and his were okay. It's been really touching.
SW

[SpaceWeavil]

[Shanalir]

First off, I'm sending my prayers and thoughts to everyone touched by this tragedy.

Second, CNN here in the US has had almost non-stop reporting and coverage. I think I've heard them give info on another news topic once in the hour or so I've had it on. And they only spent about five minutes or less on the other topic.

Personally, I'm actually kind of relieved that they are being as careful in releasing information as they can. The last thing we need in a time of crisis is widespread panic due to differing information from different persons, each more horrific than the last, witht he media blowing everything out of proportion. And fortunately, from what I've seen, CNN at least is trying to stay as calm and rational as possible.

[SpaceWeavil]

[trekqueen]

My condolences and sympathies to those who were harmed or know those injured/killed in this and I hope all our UK people on here are safe and ok.

I caught the news on the talk radio station I listen to while I was driving this morning around 6am PST. The station is an affiliate of Fox News and seemed to have a lot of information and so did Fox News once I got home and turned the tv on. Though it does seem rather restrained though on some info but they've got lots of coverage going on and talking with witnesses.

[NeumeIndil]

At 10 till 2 EST AOL has the following numbers:

At least 40 dead

At least 700 injured, about 45 of those serious or critical.

A group calling itself the Secret Organization of al-Qaida in Europe claimed responsibility.

They've lowered the Union Jack over Buckingham Palace to half-mast at the request of the queen.

Tony Blair was also quoted as saying he knew most Muslims "deplore this act of terrorism". ''They are trying to use the slaughter of innocent people to cow us,'' he said. ''They should know they will not succeed.'' [from the AOL startpage]

Bush said that the War on Terror will continue until their hatred is stopped.

My heart goes out to the people of the U.K. and those in Europe who are on hightened alert because of this senseless destruction. I'm sending lots of positive thoughts your way and hope all of the O.S.A. contributors are safe and well.

[Yavanie]

WoW! just ditto, ditto, ditto.

Got my info from the yahoo start page as well. I hope the media is taking a rather subdued approach due to lack of specifics and not giving the terrorists what they want - sensational coverage.

Anyways, my thoughts and prayers to all affected.

No suprised it happened but that does not ease my best wishes to those affected.

the terrorists wanted to make a point and i guess they did. However, I don't think it will deter any nation from pursuing it's current course. Strong political leaders don't bow to terrorism. They will change their course of action when they feel it is in the best interest of their country and not because someone tried to threaten them into it.


hugs and prayers to all.

[Alassante]

As I said on the other post, this brings tears to my eyes. Feelings of helplessness against evil and terrorism remind me so much of the days following Sept 11th. The UK and the US have such strong ties and I can still remember Tony Blair being at the first national address after Sept 11th showing his support for our country.

I think some of the restraint in the news reporting is due to the G8 Summit. No one wants mass hysteria with so many world leaders in one place. As I said the other day on LJ, it scares me when the world leaders do get together for whatever reason because I worry that terrorists will strike to get the most attention possible. They want the most damage done with the highest amount of news coverage.

It sickens me that they target innocent people on their way to work or going about their normal lives to hurt a country for their political issues. It just shows them for the cowards they are.

[nienor]

It's terrible to see so many people killed or wounded by someone who doesn't care that they have done absolutely nothing to him, only because they want to scare us. A friend of mine phoned some hours ago and said she was frightened to use a bus or subway train. She rather walked on foot for an hour. And this is Cologne, it's not a capital or anything.

In summer there will be this Catholic meeting of youths here, with the pope and millions of people. At the moment I don't feel like I want to be in the city then, as this might be something to attract terrorists.

Although I feel we shouldn't let them win, it's so frightening that there are people who do such things and say it's for a good and worthy cause, or for their religion.

I pray for all who were harmed or lost someone dear to them and hope all of you and your families are safe. nienor

[trekqueen]

gotta be careful nienor! I've heard Hamburg is a hotbed of terrorist activities. At least you aren't too close to that.

[nienor]

Yes, some of the 9/11 terrorists lived and met there, as it seems to have been easy for them not to get caught. Of course the government says that they're improving security, but there seems to be no real protection anywhere... depressing

[trekqueen]