WHAT YOU NEED NOW - CONTENT UPDATED THROUGH THE DAY
July 7, 2005
NEWS ANALYSIS: From Triumph to Tragedy in Warp Speed: London Suffers Terror Attacks as G–8 Summit Convenes in Scotland
by Grant Traylor
Huntington News Network Sportswriter
London, England (HNN) –One of the most heralded cities in Europe has gone from triumph to tragedy in two days.
Six explosions rocked through London's metropolitan transportation system, destroying a double–decker bus full of people and shutting down the underground subway systems in the downtown area.
The double–decker bus was located at Russell Square in central London.
According to BBC, the top part of the bus was completely destroyed.
Explosives were found on the grounds of one of the damaged areas, indicating that terrorism is the most probable cause, although the responsible parties have not been named.
The BBC reported Thursday, July 7, 2005, that an Islamic website has posted a statement on behalf of al–Qaeda claiming responsibility for the attacks.
According to Associated Press reports, an Israeli official said that Scotland Yard had reported to Israel that they were receiving warnings of possible terrorist attacks just minutes before the actual explosions occurred.
Scotland Yard confirmed that explosions were reported at Edgware Road, Russell Square, King's Cross, Moorgate, Liverpool Street and Aldgate East at 8:49 a.m. London time. Another blast was reported at Tavistock Square at 10:14 a.m. GMT.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair planned to leave the Group of Eight summit in Gleneagles, Scotland to assess the situation with police officials in London.
The G8 summit will continue without Blair's presence at the request of the leaders of other countries.
Blair said it was reasonably clear that the attacks were supposed to coincide with the opening of the G8 summit. The G8 summit was brought together by the leaders of industrialized countries to try and reconcile some international problems such as the debt of Africa to other countries and global warming.
The blasts also come on the day after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2012 Olympic Games to the city of London who edged Paris, the favorite to be awarded the games, 54–50 in final voting.
The blasts have suspended London's Underground services and bus services within the area of attacks have been stopped for the time being.
Furthermore, the attacks have left many stuck in the Underground rail system, potentially trapping many more victims.
For that reason, definitive numbers of casualties cannot be reported although there have been two confirmed deaths from the blasts.
