7 July 2005 London bombings

Photos and other images are on the graphics page.

Locations of the 7 July 2005 explosions on London public transit.

Note:All times are in British Summer Time (BST), which is 1 hour ahead of UTC (GMT).

On 7 July 2005, beginning at 08:51, during the height of morning rush hour, a series of four bomb explosions struck London's transport system. Three Underground trains were hit within half an hour, and a bus a further half an hour after that. This number is expected to rise as authorities survey the impact of the blasts. The incidents led to the immediate evacuation of many tube stations, as well as the complete shut-down of the London Underground network. Roads near the affected stations were closed, severely affecting road traffic. Mainline services into London stations Euston, Paddington, Liverpool Street and King's Cross terminated outside the city for most of the day, though all but Kings Cross had fully re-opened by 17:30. The city's bus network was shut down in the central zone (Zone 1) until approximately 16:00.

This is the deadliest terrorist attack to take place within the United Kingdom since the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, which killed more than 200 people, and the deadliest bombing of London since World War II.

Incidents

Home Secretary Charles Clarke told the British House of Commons that four blasts had been confirmed: three explosions took place on the London Underground in central London and one on a London Buses double-decker bus, in London's rush hour.

The three on Tube trains were on the Hammersmith and City Line between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East at 08:51, at Edgware Road at 08:56 and on the Piccadilly Line between King's Cross and Russell Square at 09:17. An explosion occurred on a double-decker bus at 09:47 (the No. 30, Hackney to Marble Arch following a planned diversion from its normal route) in Tavistock Square outside the BMA building on Upper Woburn Place, ripping the roof off the top deck and destroying the back of the bus. The number of explosions is smaller than first thought, since some blasts occurred on trains that were between stations. The wounded emerged from both stations, giving the impression that there were incidents at each.

Casualties

Senior official sources have confirmed that at least 37 people have been killed. This toll will rise when the number of deaths resulting from the Tavistock Square bus bombing is known. [1] These bombings are the second-most deadly terrorist attacks ever in the United Kingdom, after Lockerbie (the 1998 Omagh bombing killed 29 people and the 1974 Birmingham pub bombing killed 21).

At least 90 injuries have been reported from Aldgate East Station alone. All major London hospitals have been placed on alert, and are currently not accepting non-emergency cases. Ninety-five of those were taken by bus to the Royal London Hospital where they are being treated; seventeen are in critical condition. Many others are being treated at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. Individuals who are wounded and walking are being treated at the scene; an eyewitness reported that they were “operating on injured people on the concourse at Liverpool Street station.” [2] Paramedics were sent down into the tube system to search for more casualties. St. John Ambulance was called out to assist the London Ambulance Service [3], and hospitals had to call in off-duty staff, plus doctors from as far afield as Hampshire and Oxfordshire.

Recent reports state that 300 people (208 at Royal London Hospital alone [4]) are being treated in hospital and 150 of those are in a serious condition. Many are foreign nationals. A British Medical Association doctor said that of the bus passengers he saw, only three prostitutes had died.

Confirmed current casualties (Emergency Services press conference):

Location	Casualties
Aldgate East Station	7
King's Cross Station	21
Edgware Road Station	7
Bus in Tavistock Square	2
Total	37

Official statements

Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has said that explosions were probably the result of a "major terrorist attack" but did not wish to speculate on the organisation involved. The bombings came while the UK hosted the first full day of the 31st G8 summit at Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland, and a day after London won the bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The Formula 1 British Grand Prix is also scheduled for this weekend, but will still go ahead.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has described the attacks as “barbaric.” “Our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism upon the world,” he said. Mayor Ken Livingstone, speaking from Singapore, where he was promoting the city's Olympic bid, called it a “cowardly attack”: “This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful. It was not aimed at Presidents or Prime Ministers. It was aimed at ordinary, working-class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Jew, young and old. It was an indiscriminate attempt to slaughter.” [5]

The Prime Minister left the G8 summit in Gleneagles [6] despite Downing Street initially suggesting that reports he would return to London were false [7]. He has arrived back in London to consult with emergency services. The summit will continue in his absence and he intends to return in the evening. [8]

Other events

Additional reports indicate that there have been unspecified incidents at Brighton, Luton, and Swindon. These stations have been closed and there has been no official confirmation of the nature of the incidents, if any actually occurred. BBC World reported that the stations had been evacuated due to "security incidents". East Croydon station was closed due to a suspect package, but was later re-opened.

In Brighton there was a controlled explosion of a suspicious briefcase at approximately 12:55 local time in a telephone box outside of Brighton station. The brief case was later found to be harmless, and the station was re-opened.

There are reports of Victoria Station being cordoned off by police amid reports of a 'suspicious package' on a bus near the station.

There have been reports of a controlled explosion at Coventry bus station.

Two controlled explosions have been carried out on a Lothian Buses double-decker in Princes Street in the centre of Edinburgh.

Vodafone have reported that their mobile phone network reached capacity at about 10:00 on the day of the incident, and they were forced to initiate emergency procedures to prioritise emergency calls. Other mobile phone networks have also reported failures. The BBC had speculated that the phone system has been closed by the security services to prevent the possibility of mobile phones being used to trigger bombs. BBC later reported that mobile networks are running again.

London's Transport system is currently paralysed, significantly because of the complete closure of the underground system and the Zone 1 closure of the bus networks, as well as evacuation of Russell Square.

It was reported on CBS News that a senior Israeli official said that British police told the Israeli Embassy in London minutes before the explosions that they had received warnings of possible terror attacks in the city. [9] An Associated Press report carried on a number of news sites, including The Guardian, attributes the initial report of a warning to an Israeli “Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity,” but adds Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's later denial on Israel Army Radio: “There was no early information about terrorist attacks.” [10] A similar report on the site of right-wing Israeli paper Israel National News / Arutz Sheva attributed the story to “Army Radio quoting unconfirmed reliable sources.” [11]

Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin announced that France had increased its level of terror alert to red, the second-highest level, in response to the events in London. [12] Meanwhile, Berlin transport officials indicated that security alert levels for the public transport system of the German capital had been raised to yellow, the second of three levels. [13]

News reports from the United States say that subway systems in New York City and Washington, D.C. are at a heightened state of alert and have brought in police dog units trained in bomb detection. Authorities are also specifically concerned about similar events in Chicago, Boston, and Miami, and have raised transit security levels in these cities and others such as Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Cause

The cause is unknown at the moment, but a terrorist attack appears extremely likely. While early reports gave the possibility of a power surge in the Underground power grid (which was later found to be functioning normally) the Tavistock Square bus explosion effectively ruled it out. The early reports of a power surge probably originated from the cover story the train operators used to explain the evacuations on unaffected trains (to reduce panic).

At approximately 11:10 UTC 7 July 2005, BBC News reported that a website known to be operated by associates of Al Qaeda had been located with a 200 word statement claiming responsibility for the attacks. German magazine Der Spiegel [14] reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al‐Qaeda in Europe' had posted a claim of responsibility on the "al-Qala'a" internet forum, which has been a source for genuine claims in the past. The letter also warned other governments involved in Iraq (mentioning specifically Denmark and Italy) to leave Iraq and Afghanistan.

Arab sources monitoring terrorist networks have told BBC News that it is highly likely to be an Al Qaeda attack. Unconfirmed reports indicate that an Islamist website has carried a statement by a European group allied to Al-Qaida which claims responsibility for the attacks.

The attacks bear similarities to 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks and suggest an attack in the style of Al-Qaeda, security analysts said. “The first thing that's very obvious is the synchronized nature of the attacks, and that's pretty classic for al Qaeda or al Qaeda-related organizations,” Budapest-based security analyst Sebestyen Gorka told Reuters.

The London Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Ian Blair, stated that he believed that the explosions were "probably a major terrorist attack". He also indicated that police had found indications of explosives at one of the blast sites [15].

Responsibility

German magazine Der Spiegel [16] and BBC Monitoring have both reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al-Qaeda in Europe' has posted an announcement claiming responsibility on the Al-Qal3ah (The Castle) forums [17], [18]. The announcement claims the attacks are a response due to the British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Al-Qaeda involvement is considered likely, as it follows their pattern:

bombs were detonated essentially simultaneously
no warnings were given
the bombs were detonated early in the day to catch the news
the bombs were detonated at a time and location designed to inflict maximum death and injury to a civilian population

Translated statement

On 7 July, a person using the name "Nur al-Iman" and identified as a "new guest", posted to Al-Qal3ah with a statement issued by "The Secret Organization Group of Al-Qa'ida of Jihad Organization in Europe". In the statement, the group claims responsibility for the London "raid". The following is a translated text of the statement:

:In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, may peace be upon the cheerful one and undaunted fighter, Prophet Muhammad, God's peace be upon him.

Nation of Islam and Arab nation: Rejoice for it is time to take revenge against the British Zionist crusader government in retaliation for the massacres Britain is committing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The heroic mujahideen have carried out a blessed raid in London. Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern, and western quarters.

We have repeatedly warned the British government and people. We have fulfilled our promise and carried out our blessed military raid in Britain after our mujahideen exerted strenuous efforts over a long period of time to ensure the success of the raid.

We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all the crusader governments that they will be punished in the same way if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He who warns is excused.

God says: "You who believe: If ye will aid (the cause of) God, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly."

Response

World leaders

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the bombings. [19] Martin has also requested Canadian flags on all federal buildings be lowered to half-staff. [20]
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has conveyed to the British government the "deep shock and sympathy and concern of the government and people of New Zealand".
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has stated, "It's important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our British allies at a time such as this."
Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon said: "In these moments, Israel entirely expresses its solidarity with the people of Britain, aching with their pain, and sending condolences to the families of the dead and fast recovery wishes to the wounded."
United States President George W. Bush has said, "We will not yield to the terrorists, and will find them and bring them to justice." [21]
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said, "This terrorist action will never be forgiven, but remembered with great indignation. I offer Mr. Blair my full support to his response, and will gladly cooperate in any way possible."
Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has stated "I want to express the condolences of the Government and the Spanish people to relatives of the victims of this horrible attacks. I absolutely share the stated by my colleague Tony Blair. Moral strength of democracy is far superior than such vile and coward methods of terrorism."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the attacks and has called on all countries to unite in the fight against international terrorism.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende stated: "Continuous intensive attention is required in the war against terrorism. Terrorism is an evil that can hit each European country. Cooperation in the EU and worldwide is crucial to counter this evil."
Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson stated: "This is an attack on our open society."
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has stated: "Again we're witnessing scruples' and barbaric attacks against completely innocent people – civilians, women and children... Terrorists use fear and terror as political pressure. We can't - and will not allow that. We shall never give in to terrorists." - Later he sent an official condolence letter to Tony Blair. [22]
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called the attack "a tragedy for Great Britain" and "a tragedy for Europe as a whole which had already been hit in Madrid in March 2004." In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, De Villepin also offered "immediate, full and total collaboration of French services in helping you identify the authors of these crimes."
Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris, said : "Today, we're all Londoners"
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called the attacks "cowardly and perfidious", while Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer declared his "unswerving solidarity" with London.
The European Parliament held a minute of silence to send their condolences to any victims of the explosions [23].
G8 leaders prepared a statement, read on behalf of them all by Tony Blair, condemning the attacks as "an attack on civilised peoples everywhere", and saying that the G8 summit would proceed. [24]
The Polish Sejm lower house observes a moment of silence.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the series of explosions on London's transport system: "As South Africa, we join the rest of the international community in condemning any acts of terrorism"
Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has stated "On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I wish to express my deepest condolences and sympathy. My thoughts are with all those who were injured and the bereaved families, and with the people of the United Kingdom. We are mourning with you in this time of grief." [25]
Hamas spokesman Moussa Abu Marzouk condemned the bombings, saying "Targeting civilians in their transport means and lives is denounced and rejected."[26]
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said, "Lebanon, which has been the victim of violence for years, shares with the British their pain."
Moroccan spokesman and Communication Minister Nabil Benabdallah said "These heinous attacks underline the need for the international community to. . . unite its efforts to fight these acts and abort their objectives."
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos stated "Every Chilean repudiates what has happened today at dawn in London"
Ireland's Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said that "after yesterday's outpouring of great joy, today is a tragic and difficult day for London."
Pakistani Information Minister Rashid Sheikh said "We offer our heartfelt sympathies to those who suffered due to such acts."
Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says "Brazil expresses its harshest condemnation of this most recent, deplorable terrorist act", and voiced "solidarity with the suffering of the victims' families."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has said that "China is shocked" by this tragedy and "strongly condemns" any terrorist attacks targeted at civilians.

Photos and other images are on the graphics page.

Template:Introedit

All times are in British Summer Time (BST), which is 1 hour ahead of UTC (GMT).

On 7 July 2005, beginning at 08:51, during the height of morning rush hour, a series of four bomb explosions struck London's transport system. Three Underground trains were hit within half an hour, and a bus a further half an hour after that. This number is expected to rise as authorities survey the impact of the blasts. The incidents led to the immediate evacuation of many tube stations, as well as the complete shut-down of the London Underground network. Roads near the affected stations were closed, severely affecting road traffic. Mainline services into London stations Euston, Paddington, Liverpool Street and King's Cross terminated outside the city for most of the day, though all but Kings Cross had fully re-opened by 17:30. The city's bus network was shut down in the central zone (Zone 1) until approximately 16:00.

This is the deadliest terrorist attack to take place within the United Kingdom since the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, which killed more than 200 people, and the deadliest bombing of London since World War II.

Official statements

Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has said that explosions were probably the result of a "major terrorist attack" but did not wish to speculate on the organisation involved. The bombings came while the UK hosted the first full day of the 31st G8 summit at Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland, and a day after London won the bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The Formula 1 British Grand Prix is also scheduled for this weekend, but will still go ahead.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has described the attacks as “barbaric.” “Our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism upon the world,” he said. Mayor Ken Livingstone, speaking from Singapore. where he was promoting the city's Olympic bid, called it a “cowardly attack”: “This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful. It was not aimed at Presidents or Prime Ministers. It was aimed at ordinary, working-class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Jew, young and old. It was an indiscriminate attempt to slaughter.” [27]

The Prime Minister left the G8 summit in Gleneagles [28] despite Downing Street initially suggesting that reports he would return to London were false [29]. He has arrived back in London to consult with emergency services. The summit will continue in his absence and he intends to return in the evening. [30]

Other events

Additional reports indicate that there have been unspecified incidents at Brighton, Luton, and Swindon. These stations have been closed and there has been no official confirmation of the nature of the incidents, if any actually occurred. BBC World reported that the stations had been evacuated due to "security incidents". East Croydon station was closed due to a suspect package, but was later re-opened.

In Brighton there was a controlled explosion of a suspicious briefcase at approximately 12:55 local time in a telephone box outside of Brighton station. The brief case was later found to be harmless, and the station was re-opened.

There are reports of Victoria Station being cordoned off by police amid reports of a 'suspicious package' on a bus near the station.

There have been reports of a controlled explosion at Coventry bus station.

Vodafone have reported that their mobile phone network reached capacity at about 10:00 on the day of the incident, and they were forced to initiate emergency procedures to prioritise emergency calls. Other mobile phone networks have also reported failures. The BBC had speculated that the phone system has been closed by the security services to prevent the possibility of mobile phones being used to trigger bombs. BBC later reported that mobile networks are running again.

London's Transport system is currently paralysed, significantly because of the complete closure of the underground system and the Zone 1 closure of the bus networks, as well as evacuation of Russell Square.

It was reported on CBS News that a senior Israeli official said that British police told the Israeli Embassy in London minutes before the explosions that they had received warnings of possible terror attacks in the city. [31] An Associated Press report carried on a number of news sites, including The Guardian, attributes the initial report of a warning to an Israeli “Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity,” but adds Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's later denial on Israel Army Radio: “There was no early information about terrorist attacks.” [32] A similar report on the site of right-wing Israeli paper Israel National News / Arutz Sheva attributed the story to “Army Radio quoting unconfirmed reliable sources.” [33]

Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin announced that France had increased its level of terror alert to red, the second-highest level, in response to the events in London. [34] Meanwhile, Berlin transport officials indicated that security alert levels for the public transport system of the German capital had been raised to yellow, the second of three levels. [35]

News reports from the United States say that subway systems in New York City and Washington, D.C. are at a heightened state of alert and have brought in police dog units trained in bomb detection. Authorities are also specifically concerned about similar events in Chicago, Boston, and Miami, and have raised transit security levels in these cities and others such as Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Cause

The cause is unknown at the moment, but a terrorist attack appears extremely likely. While early reports gave the possibility of a power surge in the Underground power grid (which was later found to be functioning normally) the Tavistock Square bus explosion effectively ruled it out. The early reports of a power surge probably originated from the cover story the train operators used to explain the evacuations on unaffected trains (to reduce panic).

At approximately 11:10 UTC 7 July 2005, BBC News reported that a website known to be operated by associates of Al Qaeda had been located with a 200 word statement claiming responsibility for the attacks. German magazine Der Spiegel [36] reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al‐Qaeda in Europe' had posted a claim of responsibility on the "al-Qala'a" internet forum, which has been a source for genuine claims in the past. The letter also warned other governments involved in Iraq (mentioning specifically Denmark and Italy) to leave Iraq and Afghanistan.

Arab sources monitoring terrorist networks have told BBC News that it is highly likely to be an Al Qaeda attack. Unconfirmed reports indicate that an Islamist website has carried a statement by a European group allied to Al-Qaida which claims responsibility for the attacks.

The attacks bear similarities to 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks and suggest an attack in the style of Al-Qaeda, security analysts said. “The first thing that's very obvious is the synchronized nature of the attacks, and that's pretty classic for al Qaeda or al Qaeda-related organizations,” Budapest-based security analyst Sebestyen Gorka told Reuters.

The London Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Ian Blair, stated that he believed that the explosions were "probably a major terrorist attack". He also indicated that police had found indications of explosives at one of the blast sites [37].

Responsibility

German magazine Der Spiegel [38] and BBC Monitoring have both reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al-Qaeda in Europe' has posted an announcement claiming responsibility on the Al-Qal3ah (The Castle) forums [39], [40]. The announcement claims the attacks are a response due to the British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Al-Qaeda involvement is considered likely, as it follows their pattern:

bombs were detonated essentially simultaneously
no warnings were given
the bombs were detonated early in the day to catch the news
the bombs were detonated at a time and location designed to inflict maximum death and injury to a civilian population

Translated statement

On 7 July, a person using the name "Nur al-Iman" and identified as a "new guest", posted to Al-Qal3ah with a statement issued by "The Secret Organization Group of Al-Qa'ida of Jihad Organization in Europe". In the statement, the group claims responsibility for the London "raid". The following is a translated text of the statement:

In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, may peace be upon the cheerful one and undaunted fighter, Prophet Muhammad, God's peace be upon him.

Nation of Islam and Arab nation: Rejoice for it is time to take revenge against the British Zionist crusader government in retaliation for the massacres Britain is committing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The heroic mujahideen have carried out a blessed raid in London. Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern, and western quarters.

We have repeatedly warned the British government and people. We have fulfilled our promise and carried out our blessed military raid in Britain after our mujahideen exerted strenuous efforts over a long period of time to ensure the success of the raid.

We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all the crusader governments that they will be punished in the same way if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He who warns is excused.

God says: "You who believe: If ye will aid (the cause of) God, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly."

Response

World leaders

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the bombings. [41] Martin has also requested Canadian flags on all federal buildings be lowered to half-staff. [42]
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has conveyed to the British government the "deep shock and sympathy and concern of the government and people of New Zealand".
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has stated, "It's important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our British allies at a time such as this."
Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon said: "In these moments, Israel entirely expresses its solidarity with the people of Britain, aching with their pain, and sending condolences to the families of the dead and fast recovery wishes to the wounded."
United States President George W. Bush has said, "We will not yield to the terrorists, and will find them and bring them to justice." [43]
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said, "This terrorist action will never be forgiven, but remembered with great indignation. I offer Mr. Blair my full support to his response, and will gladly cooperate in any way possible."
Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has stated "I want to express the condolences of the Government and the Spanish people to relatives of the victims of this horrible attacks. I absolutely share the stated by my colleague Tony Blair. Moral strength of democracy is far superior than such vile and coward methods of terrorism."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the attacks and has called on all countries to unite in the fight against international terrorism.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende stated: "Continuous intensive attention is required in the war against terrorism. Terrorism is an evil that can hit each European country. Cooperation in the EU and worldwide is crucial to counter this evil."
Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson stated: "This is an attack on our open society."
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has stated: "Again we're witnessing scruples' and barbaric attacks against completely innocent people – civilians, women and children... Terrorists use fear and terror as political pressure. We can't - and will not allow that. We shall never give in to terrorists." - Later he sent an official condolence letter to Tony Blair. [44]
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called the attack "a tragedy for Great Britain" and "a tragedy for Europe as a whole which had already been hit in Madrid in March 2004." In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, De Villepin also offered "immediate, full and total collaboration of French services in helping you identify the authors of these crimes."
Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris, said : "Today, we're all Londoners"
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called the attacks "cowardly and perfidious", while Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer declared his "unswerving solidarity" with London.
The European Parliament held a minute of silence to send their condolences to any victims of the explosions [45].
G8 leaders prepared a statement, read on behalf of them all by Tony Blair, condemning the attacks as "an attack on civilised peoples everywhere", and saying that the G8 summit would proceed. [46]
The Polish Sejm lower house observes a moment of silence.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the series of explosions on London's transport system: "As South Africa, we join the rest of the international community in condemning any acts of terrorism"
Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has stated "On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I wish to express my deepest condolences and sympathy. My thoughts are with all those who were injured and the bereaved families, and with the people of the United Kingdom. We are mourning with you in this time of grief." [47]
Hamas spokesman Moussa Abu Marzouk condemned the bombings, saying "Targeting civilians in their transport means and lives is denounced and rejected."[48]
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said, "Lebanon, which has been the victim of violence for years, shares with the British their pain."
Moroccan spokesman and Communication Minister Nabil Benabdallah said "These heinous attacks underline the need for the international community to. . . unite its efforts to fight these acts and abort their objectives."
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos stated "Every Chilean repudiates what has happened today at dawn in London"
Ireland's Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said that "after yesterday's outpouring of great joy, today is a tragic and difficult day for London."
Pakistani Information Minister Rashid Sheikh said "We offer our heartfelt sympathies to those who suffered due to such acts."
Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says "Brazil expresses its harshest condemnation of this most recent, deplorable terrorist act", and voiced "solidarity with the suffering of the victims' families."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has said that "China is shocked" by this tragedy and "strongly condemns" any terrorist attacks targeted at civilians.

Religious leaders

Pope Benedict XVI has called the attacks "inhuman."
The Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network have issued a public statement condemning the attacks, offering their condolences to the British people, and pledging their support in bringing the terrorists to justice. [49]
The Muslim Council of Britain utterly condemns today's indiscriminate acts of terror in London. [50]
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken of his horror and grief following the explosions in London this morning. [51]
Leading Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim scholar Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah stated, "These crimes are not accepted by any religion. It is a barbarism wholly rejected by Islam."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attacks, stating "We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."[52]

Other responses

The Metropolitan Police Service urges people not to enter London, and to limit their usage of public transport. [53]

"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 London Ambulance Service reports that they will "only be sending ambulances to patients across the capital with life-threatening illnesses or injuries".[54]

Chief executive of London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Keith Mills, announced from Singapore that further celebrations of the city's success would be postponed. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee said that they were still confident that the Olympics would be safe. [55]

British Respect Member of Parliament George Galloway: "We argued, as did the security services in this country, that the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq would increase the threat of terrorist attack in Britain. Tragically Londoners have now paid the price of the Government ignoring such warnings."

54 schools were closed in Westminster.

United States Department of Homeland Security raised alert level for mass transit systems from yellow to orange.

Economic impact

There were economic effects. The British currency fell to a 19-month low against the American dollar. Many stock markets are expected to drop in value.

The FTSE 100 Index fell by about 200 points in the two hours after the first attack. This was its biggest one-day fall since the start of the Iraq war. However, by the time it closed the market had recovered to just 71.3 points (1.36%) down on the day. [56]

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was off more than 35 points at 10076.80 within 15 minutes of the opening of trading. Markets in Germany and France fell by more than two percent [57] by 12:09 GMT.

The price of oil fell $2 on news of the attacks [58] and has since fallen by as much as $4.08. [59]

By the time the United States markets opened on the morning of July 7, the New York Stock Exchange opened down just 0.17 per cent, and the NASDAQ opened down 0.89 per cent, less than the European markets which were already open at the time of the bombings. [60]

Timeline

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC.

08:51: Initial reports of an incident between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East tube stations, either an explosion or a collision between trains. The reports from the two stations were initially thought to relate to two separate incidents.
08:56: Explosion on train between Kings' Cross and Russell Square. Eyewitnesses report explosion appeared to come from outside the train.
09:17: Explosion on train at Edgware Road station.
09:28: Tube operator Metronet says the incident was caused by some sort of power surge.
09:33: Reports of an incident at Edgware Road tube station. Reports that passengers on a train hit by an explosion attempted to break windows with umbrellas in order to escape.
09:46: British Transport Police announce there had been more explosions at Kings' Cross, Old Street, Moorgate, and Russell Square.
09:47: Explosion on bus at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square.
09:49: Whole London Underground system shut down.
10:00: National Grid announce there had been no problem with power surges.
10:40: First report of fatalities, government source speaks of 20 dead.
11:08: Bus services suspended across central London.
11:10: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair confirms fears that it is a coordinated terror attack, but appeals for calm, asking people not to travel to London or make unnecessary calls to the emergency services.
12:00: Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks out on the incident, calling the attacks a coordinated series of "barbaric" terrorist attacks.
17:30: Prime Minister Tony Blair emerges from a meeting in Downing Street and urges the public to not "be terrorised"
18:13: Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Paddock confirms thirty-seven fatalities: two in the bus explosion at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square, seven at Liverpool Street/Aldgate East, seven at Edgware Road, and twenty-one in the Kings Cross/Russell Square blast, as well as around seven hundred casualties, with roughly three hundred of those being transported by ambulance to London hospitals.

Infrastructure and transport status

Tube

No service at present - said to return before tomorrow, 8 July, in many areas.
Some Radio Stations reporting around 5.45pm (GMT) that some tube lines are expected to be operational some time "later today".

Bus

Central London buses (Zone 1) running from approximately 16:00 BST.
National Express had suspended coach services in and out of London, although these are now operational "on a limited basis for the rest of today." Normal service should be resumed tomorrow. [61]

Rail

The Docklands Light Railway was operational again from about 16:00, but not stopping at Bank, Stratford or Canning Town.
Long-distance services at King's Cross are not running.
Croydon Tramlink was suspended, and traffic was being directed away from the underpass area. This was re-opened during the afternoon.
Eurostar's London to Paris service is running
The Heathrow Express is running
The Stansted Express is not running as far as Liverpool Street.
The Gatwick Express is operational again (at 30 minute intervals)
National train lines into London have a restricted service - details of individual services can be found on the National Rail website http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/london_underground.html

Photos and other images are on the graphics page.

Template:Introedit

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC(GMT).

On 7 July 2005, beginning at 08:51, during the height of morning rush hour, a series of four bomb explosions struck London's transport system. Three Underground trains were hit within half an hour, and a bus a further half an hour after that. This number is expected to rise as authorities survey the impact of the blasts. The incidents led to the immediate evacuation of many tube stations, as well as the complete shut-down of the London Underground network. Roads near the affected stations were closed, severely affecting road traffic. Mainline services into London stations Euston, Paddington, Liverpool Street and King's Cross terminated outside the city for most of the day, though all but Kings Cross had fully re-opened by 17:30. The city's bus network was shut down in the central zone (Zone 1) until approximately 16:00.

This is the worst terrorist attack to take place within the United Kingdom since the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, which killed more than of 200 people, and the worst bombing of London since the Second World War.

Incidents

File:LondonBombAttacks.jpg

Locations of the 7 July 2005 explosions on London public transit.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke told the British House of Commons that four blasts had been confirmed: three explosions took place on the London Underground in central London and one on a London Buses double-decker bus, in London's rush hour.

The three on Tube trains were on the Hammersmith and City Line between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East at 08:51, at Edgware Road at 08:56 and on the Piccadilly Line between King's Cross and Russell Square at 09:17. An explosion occurred on a double-decker bus at 09:47 (the No. 30, Hackney to Marble Arch following a planned diversion from its normal route) in Tavistock Square outside the BMA building on Upper Woburn Place, ripping the roof off the top deck and destroying the back of the bus. The number of explosions is smaller than first thought, since some blasts occurred on trains that were between stations. The wounded emerged from both stations, giving the impression that there were incidents at each.

Casualties

Senior official sources have confirmed that at least 30 people have been killed. This toll will rise when the number of deaths resulting from the Tavistock Square bus bombing is known. [62] These bombings are the deadliest terrorist attacks ever in the United Kingdom, after Lockerbie (the 1998 Omagh bombing killed 29 and the 1974 Birmingham pub bombing killed 21).

At least 90 injuries have been reported from Aldgate East Station alone. All major London hospitals have been placed on alert, and are currently not accepting non-emergency cases. Ninety-five of those were taken by bus to the Royal London Hospital where they are being treated; ten are in critical condition. Many others are being treated at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. Individuals who are wounded and walking are being treated at the scene; an eyewitness reported that they were “operating on injured people on the concourse at Liverpool Street station.” [63] Paramedics were sent down into the tube system to search for more casualties. St. John Ambulance was called out to assist the London Ambulance Service [64], and hospitals had to call in off-duty staff, plus doctors from as far afield as Hampshire and Oxfordshire.

Recent reports state that 300 people (208 at Royal London Hospital alone [65]) are being treated in hospital and 150 of those are in a serious condition. Many are foreign nationals. A British Medical Association doctor said that of the bus passengers he saw, ten had died.

Confirmed current casualties (Emergency Services press conference):

Location	Fatalities
Aldgate East Station	7
King's Cross Station	21
Edgware Road Station	7
Bus in Tavistock Square	2
Total	37

Official statements

Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has said that explosions were probably the result of a "major terrorist attack" but did not wish to speculate on the organisation involved. The bombings came while the UK hosted the first full day of the 31st G8 summit at Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland, and a day after London won the bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The Formula 1 British Grand Prix is also scheduled for this weekend, but will still go ahead.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has described the attacks as “barbaric.” “Our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism upon the world,” he said. Mayor Ken Livingstone, speaking from Singapore. where he was promoting the city's Olympic bid, called it a “cowardly attack”: “This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful. It was not aimed at Presidents or Prime Ministers. It was aimed at ordinary, working-class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Jew, young and old. It was an indiscriminate attempt to slaughter.” [66]

The Prime Minister left the G8 summit in Gleneagles [67] despite Downing Street initially suggesting that reports he would return to London were false [68]. He has arrived back in London to consult with emergency services. The summit will continue in his absence and he intends to return in the evening. [69]

Queen Elizabeth II issued an official statement, saying she was "deeply shocked" and sent her sympathy to those affected. [70] The union flag on Buckingham Palace has been flying at half-mast.

Other events

Additional reports indicate that there have been unspecified incidents at Brighton, Luton, and Swindon. These stations have been closed and there has been no official confirmation of the nature of the incidents, if any actually occurred. BBC World reported that the stations had been evacuated due to "security incidents". East Croydon station was closed due to a suspect package, but was later re-opened.

In Brighton there was a controlled explosion of a suspicious briefcase at approximately 12:55 local time in a telephone box outside of Brighton station. The brief case was later found to be harmless, and the station was re-opened.

There are reports of Victoria Station being cordoned off by police amid reports of a 'suspicious package' on a bus near the station.

There have been reports of a controlled explosion at Coventry bus station.

Vodafone have reported that their mobile phone network reached capacity at about 10:00 on the day of the incident, and they were forced to initiate emergency procedures to prioritise emergency calls. Other mobile phone networks have also reported failures. The BBC had speculated that the phone system has been closed by the security services to prevent the possibility of mobile phones being used to trigger bombs. BBC later reported that mobile networks are running again.

London's Transport system is currently paralysed, significantly because of the complete closure of the underground system and the Zone 1 closure of the bus networks, as well as evacuation of Russell Square.

It was reported on CBS News that a senior Israeli official said that British police told the Israeli Embassy in London minutes before the explosions that they had received warnings of possible terror attacks in the city. [71] An Associated Press report carried on a number of news sites, including The Guardian, attributes the initial report of a warning to an Israeli “Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity,” but adds Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's later denial on Israel Army Radio: “There was no early information about terrorist attacks.” [72] A similar report on the site of right-wing Israeli paper Israel National News / Arutz Sheva attributed the story to “Army Radio quoting unconfirmed reliable sources.” [73]

Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin announced that France had increased its level of terror alert to red, the second-highest level, in response to the events in London. [74] Meanwhile, Berlin transport officials indicated that security alert levels for the public transport system of the German capital had been raised to yellow, the second of three levels. [75]

News reports from the United States say that subway systems in New York City and Washington, D.C. are at a heightened state of alert and have brought in police dog units trained in bomb detection. Authorities are also specifically concerned about similar events in Chicago, Boston, and Miami, and have raised transit security levels in these cities and others such as Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Cause

The cause is unknown at the moment, but a terrorist attack appears extremely likely. While early reports gave the possibility of a power surge in the Underground power grid (which was later found to be functioning normally) the Tavistock Square bus explosion effectively ruled it out. The early reports of a power surge probably originated from the cover story the train operators used to explain the evacuations on unaffected trains (to reduce panic).

At approximately 11:10 UTC 7 July 2005, BBC News reported that a website known to be operated by associates of Al Qaeda had been located with a 200 word statement claiming responsibility for the attacks. German magazine Der Spiegel [76] reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al‐Qaeda in Europe' had posted a claim of responsibility on the "al-Qala'a" internet forum, which has been a source for genuine claims in the past. The letter also warned other governments involved in Iraq (mentioning specifically Denmark and Italy) to leave Iraq and Afghanistan.

Arab sources monitoring terrorist networks have told BBC News that it is highly likely to be an Al Qaeda attack. Unconfirmed reports indicate that an Islamist website has carried a statement by a European group allied to Al-Qaida which claims responsibility for the attacks.

The attacks bear similarities to 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks and suggest an attack in the style of Al-Qaeda, security analysts said. “The first thing that's very obvious is the synchronized nature of the attacks, and that's pretty classic for al Qaeda or al Qaeda-related organizations,” Budapest-based security analyst Sebestyen Gorka told Reuters.

The London Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Ian Blair, stated that he believed that the explosions were "probably a major terrorist attack". He also indicated that police had found indications of explosives at one of the blast sites [77].

Responsibility

German magazine Der Spiegel [78] and BBC Monitoring have both reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al-Qaeda in Europe' has posted an announcement claiming responsibility on the Qal3ah forums [79], [80]. The announcement claims the attacks are a response due to the British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Al-Qaeda involvement is considered likely, as it follows their pattern:

bombs were detonated essentially simultaneously
no warnings were given
the bombs were detonated early in the day to catch the news

However, initial reports suggested that the attacks seemed to be more focused on generating chaos than body count, which is uncharacteristic of Al-Qaeda.

Translated statement

On 7 July, a person using the name "Sunit Shah" and identified as an "old friend of Al-Queda", posted to the jihadist website Al-Qal'ah (Fortress), qal3ah.net/vb, a statement issued by "The Secret Organization Group of Al-Qa'ida of Jihad Organization in Europe". In the statement, the group claims responsibility for the London "terror attacks". The following is a translated text of the statement:

In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, may peace be upon the cheerful one and undaunted fighter, Prophet Muhammad, God's peace be upon him.

Nation of Islam and Arab nation: Rejoice for it is time to take revenge against the British Zionist crusader government in retaliation for the massacres Britain is committing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The heroic mujahideen have carried out a blessed raid in London. Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern, and western quarters.

We have repeatedly warned the British government and people. We have fulfilled our promise and carried out our blessed military raid in Britain after our mujahideen exerted strenuous efforts over a long period of time to ensure the success of the raid.

We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all the crusader governments that they will be punished in the same way if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He who warns is excused.

God says: "You who believe: If ye will aid (the cause of) God, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly."

Response

World leaders

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the bombings. [81] Martin has also requested Canadian flags on all federal buildings be lowered to half-staff. [82]
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has conveyed to the British government the "deep shock and sympathy and concern of the government and people of New Zealand".
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has stated, "It's important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our British allies at a time such as this."
Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon said: "In these moments, Israel entirely expresses its solidarity with the people of Britain, aching with their pain, and sending condolences to the families of the dead and fast recovery wishes to the wounded."
United States President George W. Bush has said, "We will not yield to the terrorists, and will find them and bring them to justice." [83]
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said, "This terrorist action will never be forgiven, but remembered with great indignation. I offer Mr. Blair my full support to his response, and will gladly cooperate in any way possible."
Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has stated "I want to express the condolences of the Government and the Spanish people to relatives of the victims of this horrible attacks. I absolutely share the stated by my colleague Tony Blair. Moral strength of democracy is far superior than such vile and coward methods of terrorism."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the attacks and has called on all countries to unite in the fight against international terrorism.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende stated: "Continuous intensive attention is required in the war against terrorism. Terrorism is an evil that can hit each European country. Cooperation in the EU and worldwide is crucial to counter this evil."
Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson stated: "This is an attack on our open society."
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has stated: "Again we're witnessing scruples' and barbaric attacks against completely innocent people – civilians, women and children... Terrorists use fear and terror as political pressure. We can't - and will not allow that. We shall never give in to terrorists." - Later he sent an official condolence letter to Tony Blair. [84]
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called the attack "a tragedy for Great Britain" and "a tragedy for Europe as a whole which had already been hit in Madrid in March 2004." In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, De Villepin also offered "immediate, full and total collaboration of French services in helping you identify the authors of these crimes."
Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris, said : "Today, we're all Londoners"
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called the attacks "cowardly and perfidious", while Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer declared his "unswerving solidarity" with London.
The European Parliament held a minute of silence to send their condolences to any victims of the explosions [85].
G8 leaders prepared a statement, read on behalf of them all by Tony Blair, condemning the attacks as "an attack on civilised peoples everywhere", and saying that the G8 summit would proceed. [86]
The Polish Sejm lower house observes a moment of silence.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the series of explosions on London's transport system: "As South Africa, we join the rest of the international community in condemning any acts of terrorism"
Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has stated "On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I wish to express my deepest condolences and sympathy. My thoughts are with all those who were injured and the bereaved families, and with the people of the United Kingdom. We are mourning with you in this time of grief." [87]
Hamas spokesman Moussa Abu Marzouk condemned the bombings, saying "Targeting civilians in their transport means and lives is denounced and rejected."[88]
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said, "Lebanon, which has been the victim of violence for years, shares with the British their pain."
Moroccan spokesman and Communication Minister Nabil Benabdallah said "These heinous attacks underline the need for the international community to. . . unite its efforts to fight these acts and abort their objectives."
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos stated "Every Chilean repudiates what has happened today at dawn in London"
Ireland's Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said that "after yesterday's outpouring of great joy, today is a tragic and difficult day for London."
Pakistani Information Minister Rashid Sheikh said "We offer our heartfelt sympathies to those who suffered due to such acts."
Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says "Brazil expresses its harshest condemnation of this most recent, deplorable terrorist act", and voiced "solidarity with the suffering of the victims' families."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has said that "China is shocked" by this tragedy and "strongly condemns" any terrorist attacks targeted at civilians.

Religious leaders

Pope Benedict XVI has called the attacks "inhuman."
The Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network have issued a public statement condemning the attacks, offering their condolences to the British people, and pledging their support in bringing the terrorists to justice. [89]
The Muslim Council of Britain utterly condemns today's indiscriminate acts of terror in London. [90]
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken of his horror and grief following the explosions in London this morning. [91]
Leading Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim scholar Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah stated, "These crimes are not accepted by any religion. It is a barbarism wholly rejected by Islam."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attacks, stating "We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."[92]

Other responses

The Metropolitan Police Service urges people not to enter London, and to limit their usage of public transport. [93]

"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 London Ambulance Service reports that they will "only be sending ambulances to patients across the capital with life-threatening illnesses or injuries".[94]

Chief executive of London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Keith Mills, announced from Singapore that further celebrations of the city's success would be postponed. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee said that they were still confident that the Olympics would be safe. [95]

British Respect Member of Parliament George Galloway: "We argued, as did the security services in this country, that the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq would increase the threat of terrorist attack in Britain. Tragically Londoners have now paid the price of the Government ignoring such warnings."

54 schools were closed in Westminster.

United States Department of Homeland Security raised alert level for mass transit systems from yellow to orange.

Economic impact

There were economic effects. The British currency fell to a 119-month low against the American dollar. Many stock markets are expected to drop in value.

The FTSE 100 Index fell by about 400 points in the two hours after the first attack. This was its biggest one-day fall since the start of the Iraq war. However, by the time it closed the market had recovered to just 71.3 points (4.36%) down on the day. [96]

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was off more than 53 points at 10076.80 within 5 minutes of the opening of trading. Markets in Germany and France fell by more than two percent [97] by 12:09 GMT.

The price of oil fell $5 on news of the attacks [98] and has since fallen by as much as $7.08. [99]

By the time the United States markets opened on the morning of July 7, the New York Stock Exchange opened down a whopping 6.17 per cent, and the NASDAQ opened down 5.97 per cent, more than the European markets which were open at the time of the bombings. [100]

Timeline

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC.

08:51: Initial reports of an incident between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East tube stations, either an explosion or a collision between trains. The reports from the two stations were initially thought to relate to two separate incidents.
08:56: Explosion on train between Kings' Cross and Russell Square. Eyewitnesses report explosion appeared to come from outside the train.
09:17: Explosion on train at Edgware Road station.
09:28: Tube operator Metronet says the incident was caused by some sort of power surge.
09:33: Reports of an incident at Edgware Road tube station. Reports that passengers on a train hit by an explosion attempted to break windows with umbrellas in order to escape.
09:46: British Transport Police announce there had been more explosions at Kings' Cross, Old Street, Moorgate, and Russell Square.
09:47: Explosion on bus at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square.
09:49: Whole London Underground system shut down.
10:00: National Grid announce there had been no problem with power surges.
10:40: First report of fatalities, government source speaks of 20 dead.
11:08: Bus services suspended across central London.
11:10: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair confirms fears that it is a coordinated terror attack, but appeals for calm, asking people not to travel to London or make unnecessary calls to the emergency services.
12:00: Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks out on the incident, calling the attacks a coordinated series of "barbaric" terrorist attacks.
17:30: Prime Minister Tony Blair emerges from a meeting in Downing Street and urges the public to not "be terrorised"
18:13: Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Paddock confirms thirty-seven fatalities: two in the bus explosion at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square, seven at Liverpool Street/Aldgate East, seven at Edgware Road, and twenty-one in the Kings Cross/Russell Square blast, as well as around seven hundred casualties, with roughly three hundred of those being transported by ambulance to London hospitals.

Infrastructure and transport status

Tube

No service at present - said to return before tomorrow, 8 July, in many areas.
Some Radio Stations reporting around 5.45pm (GMT) that some tube lines are expected to be operational some time "later today".

Bus

Central London buses (Zone 1) running from approximately 16:00 BST.
National Express had suspended coach services in and out of London, although these are now operational "on a limited basis for the rest of today." Normal service should be resumed tomorrow. [101]

Rail

The Docklands Light Railway was operational again from about 16:00, but not stopping at Bank, Stratford or Canning Town.
Long-distance services at King's Cross are not running.
Croydon Tramlink was suspended, and traffic was being directed away from the underpass area. This was re-opened during the afternoon.
Eurostar's London to Paris service is running
The Heathrow Express is running
The Stansted Express is not running as far as Liverpool Street.
The Gatwick Express is operational again (at 30 minute intervals)
National train lines into London have a restricted service - details of individual services can be found on the National Rail website http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/london_underground.html

Roads

The Congestion Charge suspended for the day.
Edgware Road is accessible to the public again
Roads near the affected stations are closed off, severely affecting road traffic.
The city's bus network was shut down in the central zone, but services restarted from approximately 16:00 BST
Many taxis and private cars are providing lifts out of London.
RailAir between Reading and Heathrow are still running

River

Thames Clippers are providing free travel[102] until 22.00 BST, and beginning again between 06.00 and 07.00 BST on 8 July 2005.

Air

Flights are running as usual at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports.
There may be some delays due to difficulty of flight crew getting to airports, especially with the Piccadilly Line suspended and Heathrow Express to Heathrow shut for a period but running again.
Temporary exclusion zone over London.

External links and references

Google News — Search Google News for "London Bombings"
Newsnow London Explosions — More news headlines related to this topic
Transport for London Website — Current status of London transport
[103] — Liftshare
London responds — Wiki-based links collection and home base for "london77" tag

News articles

Guardian Newsblog live coverage — Bomb blasts plunge London into chaos (rolling post through day)
London Explosions — BBC News In Depth page
'Bombs' injure dozens — Sky News
Multiple explosions rock London — CNN
Many hurt as blasts rock London — The Guardian
London blasts: At a glance — BBC News: Timeline of events so far
Timeline of London blasts — CNN
A Letter To The Terrorists, From London — The London News Review
London blast: survivors' tales — The Times
At least 12 killed as explosions rock London — CTV
Aanslagen in Londen (From Indymedia.nl — Article in Dutch, additional links to English and German news sources)
London: Explosion Updates (From Indymedia UK)
canada.com coverage — canada.com

Live streams

BBC TV: Windows Media Stream, Real Media Stream, Radio Five Live.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — ABC (Windows media)
Radio RampART (web radio, London) — c/o the Radical Radio Coalition (Edinburgh/International)

Photographs

Survivor lists

Web pages collecting survivor notifications

River

Thames Clippers are providing free travel[104] until 22.00 BST, and beginning again between 06.00 and 07.00 BST on 8 July 2005.

Air

Flights are running as usual at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports.
There may be some delays due to difficulty of flight crew getting to airports, especially with the Piccadilly Line suspended and Heathrow Express to Heathrow shut for a period but running again.
Temporary exclusion zone over London.

External links and references

Google News — Search Google News for "London Bombings"
Newsnow London Explosions — More news headlines related to this topic
Transport for London Website — Current status of London transport
[105] — Liftshare
London responds — Wiki-based links collection and home base for "london77" tag

News articles

Guardian Newsblog live coverage — Bomb blasts plunge London into chaos (rolling post through day)
London Explosions — BBC News In Depth page
'Bombs' injure dozens — Sky News
Multiple explosions rock London — CNN
Many hurt as blasts rock London — The Guardian
London blasts: At a glance — BBC News: Timeline of events so far
Timeline of London blasts — CNN
A Letter To The Terrorists, From London — The London News Review
London blast: survivors' tales — The Times
At least 12 killed as explosions rock London — CTV
Aanslagen in Londen (From Indymedia.nl — Article in Dutch, additional links to English and German news sources)
London: Explosion Updates (From Indymedia UK)
canada.com coverage — canada.com

Live streams

BBC TV: Windows Media Stream, Real Media Stream, Radio Five Live.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — ABC (Windows media)
Radio RampART (web radio, London) — c/o the Radical Radio Coalition (Edinburgh/International)

Photographs

Survivor lists

Web pages collecting survivor notifications

Other events

Additional reports indicate that there have been unspecified incidents at Brighton, Luton, and Swindon. These stations have been closed and there has been no official confirmation of the nature of the incidents, if any actually occurred. BBC World reported that the stations had been evacuated due to "security incidents". East Croydon station was closed due to a suspect package, but was later re-opened.

In Brighton there was a controlled explosion of a suspicious briefcase at approximately 12:55 local time in a telephone box outside of Brighton station. The brief case was later found to be harmless, and the station was re-opened.

There are reports of Victoria Station being cordoned off by police amid reports of a 'suspicious package' on a bus near the station.

There have been reports of a controlled explosion at Coventry bus station.

Vodafone have reported that their mobile phone network reached capacity at about 10:00 on the day of the incident, and they were forced to initiate emergency procedures to prioritise emergency calls. Other mobile phone networks have also reported failures. The BBC had speculated that the phone system has been closed by the security services to prevent the possibility of mobile phones being used to trigger bombs. BBC later reported that mobile networks are running again.

London's Transport system is currently paralysed, significantly because of the complete closure of the underground system and the Zone 1 closure of the bus networks, as well as evacuation of Russell Square.

It was reported on CBS News that a senior Israeli official said that British police told the Israeli Embassy in London minutes before the explosions that they had received warnings of possible terror attacks in the city. [106] An Associated Press report carried on a number of news sites, including The Guardian, attributes the initial report of a warning to an Israeli “Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity,” but adds Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's later denial on Israel Army Radio: “There was no early information about terrorist attacks.” [107] A similar report on the site of right-wing Israeli paper Israel National News / Arutz Sheva attributed the story to “Army Radio quoting unconfirmed reliable sources.” [108]

Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin announced that France had increased its level of terror alert to red, the second-highest level, in response to the events in London. [109] Meanwhile, Berlin transport officials indicated that security alert levels for the public transport system of the German capital had been raised to yellow, the second of three levels. [110]

News reports from the United States say that subway systems in New York City and Washington, D.C. are at a heightened state of alert and have brought in police dog units trained in bomb detection. Authorities are also specifically concerned about similar events in Chicago, Boston, and Miami, and have raised transit security levels in these cities and others such as Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Cause

The cause is unknown at the moment, but a terrorist attack appears extremely likely. While early reports gave the possibility of a power surge in the Underground power grid (which was later found to be functioning normally) the Tavistock Square bus explosion effectively ruled it out. The early reports of a power surge probably originated from the cover story the train operators used to explain the evacuations on unaffected trains (to reduce panic).

At approximately 11:10 UTC 7 July 2005, BBC News reported that a website known to be operated by associates of Al Qaeda had been located with a 200 word statement claiming responsibility for the attacks. German magazine Der Spiegel [111] reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al‐Qaeda in Europe' had posted a claim of responsibility on the "al-Qala'a" internet forum, which has been a source for genuine claims in the past. The letter also warned other governments involved in Iraq (mentioning specifically Denmark and Italy) to leave Iraq and Afghanistan.

Arab sources monitoring terrorist networks have told BBC News that it is highly likely to be an Al Qaeda attack. Unconfirmed reports indicate that an Islamist website has carried a statement by a European group allied to Al-Qaida which claims responsibility for the attacks.

The attacks bear similarities to 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks and suggest an attack in the style of Al-Qaeda, security analysts said. “The first thing that's very obvious is the synchronized nature of the attacks, and that's pretty classic for al Qaeda or al Qaeda-related organizations,” Budapest-based security analyst Sebestyen Gorka told Reuters.

The London Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Ian Blair, stated that he believed that the explosions were "probably a major terrorist attack". He also indicated that police had found indications of explosives at one of the blast sites [112].

Responsibility

German magazine Der Spiegel [113] and BBC Monitoring have both reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al-Qaeda in Europe' has posted an announcement claiming responsibility on the Al-Qal3ah (The Castle forums [114], [115]. The announcement claims the attacks are a response due to the British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Al-Qaeda involvement is considered likely, as it follows their pattern:

bombs were detonated essentially simultaneously
no warnings were given
the bombs were detonated early in the day to catch the news
the bombs were detonated at a time and location designed to inflict maximum death and injury to a civilian population

Translated statement

On 7 July, a person using the name "Nur al-Iman" and identified as a "new guest", posted to Al-Qal3ah with a statement issued by "The Secret Organization Group of Al-Qa'ida of Jihad Organization in Europe". In the statement, the group claims responsibility for the London "raid". The following is a translated text of the statement:

In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, may peace be upon the cheerful one and undaunted fighter, Prophet Muhammad, God's peace be upon him.

Nation of Islam and Arab nation: Rejoice for it is time to take revenge against the British Zionist crusader government in retaliation for the massacres Britain is committing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The heroic mujahideen have carried out a blessed raid in London. Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern, and western quarters.

We have repeatedly warned the British government and people. We have fulfilled our promise and carried out our blessed military raid in Britain after our mujahideen exerted strenuous efforts over a long period of time to ensure the success of the raid.

We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all the crusader governments that they will be punished in the same way if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He who warns is excused.

God says: "You who believe: If ye will aid (the cause of) God, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly."

Response

World leaders

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the bombings. [116] Martin has also requested Canadian flags on all federal buildings be lowered to half-staff. [117]
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has conveyed to the British government the "deep shock and sympathy and concern of the government and people of New Zealand".
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has stated, "It's important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our British allies at a time such as this."
Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon said: "In these moments, Israel entirely expresses its solidarity with the people of Britain, aching with their pain, and sending condolences to the families of the dead and fast recovery wishes to the wounded."
United States President George W. Bush has said, "We will not yield to the terrorists, and will find them and bring them to justice." [118]
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said, "This terrorist action will never be forgiven, but remembered with great indignation. I offer Mr. Blair my full support to his response, and will gladly cooperate in any way possible."
Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has stated "I want to express the condolences of the Government and the Spanish people to relatives of the victims of this horrible attacks. I absolutely share the stated by my colleague Tony Blair. Moral strength of democracy is far superior than such vile and coward methods of terrorism."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the attacks and has called on all countries to unite in the fight against international terrorism.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende stated: "Continuous intensive attention is required in the war against terrorism. Terrorism is an evil that can hit each European country. Cooperation in the EU and worldwide is crucial to counter this evil."
Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson stated: "This is an attack on our open society."
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has stated: "Again we're witnessing scruples' and barbaric attacks against completely innocent people – civilians, women and children... Terrorists use fear and terror as political pressure. We can't - and will not allow that. We shall never give in to terrorists." - Later he sent an official condolence letter to Tony Blair. [119]
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called the attack "a tragedy for Great Britain" and "a tragedy for Europe as a whole which had already been hit in Madrid in March 2004." In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, De Villepin also offered "immediate, full and total collaboration of French services in helping you identify the authors of these crimes."
Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris, said : "Today, we're all Londoners"
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called the attacks "cowardly and perfidious", while Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer declared his "unswerving solidarity" with London.
The European Parliament held a minute of silence to send their condolences to any victims of the explosions [120].
G8 leaders prepared a statement, read on behalf of them all by Tony Blair, condemning the attacks as "an attack on civilised peoples everywhere", and saying that the G8 summit would proceed. [121]
The Polish Sejm lower house observes a moment of silence.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the series of explosions on London's transport system: "As South Africa, we join the rest of the international community in condemning any acts of terrorism"
Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has stated "On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I wish to express my deepest condolences and sympathy. My thoughts are with all those who were injured and the bereaved families, and with the people of the United Kingdom. We are mourning with you in this time of grief." [122]
Hamas spokesman Moussa Abu Marzouk condemned the bombings, saying "Targeting civilians in their transport means and lives is denounced and rejected."[123]
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said, "Lebanon, which has been the victim of violence for years, shares with the British their pain."
Moroccan spokesman and Communication Minister Nabil Benabdallah said "These heinous attacks underline the need for the international community to. . . unite its efforts to fight these acts and abort their objectives."
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos stated "Every Chilean repudiates what has happened today at dawn in London"
Ireland's Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said that "after yesterday's outpouring of great joy, today is a tragic and difficult day for London."
Pakistani Information Minister Rashid Sheikh said "We offer our heartfelt sympathies to those who suffered due to such acts."
Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says "Brazil expresses its harshest condemnation of this most recent, deplorable terrorist act", and voiced "solidarity with the suffering of the victims' families."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has said that "China is shocked" by this tragedy and "strongly condemns" any terrorist attacks targeted at civilians.

Religious leaders

Pope Benedict XVI has called the attacks "inhuman."
The Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network have issued a public statement condemning the attacks, offering their condolences to the British people, and pledging their support in bringing the terrorists to justice. [124]
The Muslim Council of Britain utterly condemns today's indiscriminate acts of terror in London. [125]
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken of his horror and grief following the explosions in London this morning. [126]
Leading Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim scholar Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah stated, "These crimes are not accepted by any religion. It is a barbarism wholly rejected by Islam."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attacks, stating "We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."[127]

Other responses

The Metropolitan Police Service urges people not to enter London, and to limit their usage of public transport. [128]

"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 London Ambulance Service reports that they will "only be sending ambulances to patients across the capital with life-threatening illnesses or injuries".[129]

Chief executive of London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Keith Mills, announced from Singapore that further celebrations of the city's success would be postponed. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee said that they were still confident that the Olympics would be safe. [130]

British Respect Member of Parliament George Galloway: "We argued, as did the security services in this country, that the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq would increase the threat of terrorist attack in Britain. Tragically Londoners have now paid the price of the Government ignoring such warnings."

54 schools were closed in Westminster.

United States Department of Homeland Security raised alert level for mass transit systems from yellow to orange.

Twistblog reported the lighter side of the London bombings, trapped in an officeplace during the shutdown of London.[131]

Economic impact

There were economic effects. The British currency fell to a 19-month low against the American dollar. Many stock markets are expected to drop in value.

The FTSE 100 Index fell by about 200 points in the two hours after the first attack. This was its biggest one-day fall since the start of the Iraq war. However, by the time it closed the market had recovered to just 71.3 points (1.36%) down on the day. [132]

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was off more than 35 points at 10076.80 within 15 minutes of the opening of trading. Markets in Germany and France fell by more than two percent [133] by 12:09 GMT.

The price of oil fell $2 on news of the attacks [134] and has since fallen by as much as $4.08. [135]

By the time the United States markets opened on the morning of July 7, the New York Stock Exchange opened down just 0.17 per cent, and the NASDAQ opened down 0.89 per cent, less than the European markets which were already open at the time of the bombings. [136]

Timeline

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC.

08:51: Initial reports of an incident between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East tube stations, either an explosion or a collision between trains. The reports from the two stations were initially thought to relate to two separate incidents.
08:56: Explosion on train between Kings' Cross and Russell Square. Eyewitnesses report explosion appeared to come from outside the train.
09:17: Explosion on train at Edgware Road station.
09:28: Tube operator Metronet says the incident was caused by some sort of power surge.
09:33: Reports of an incident at Edgware Road tube station. Reports that passengers on a train hit by an explosion attempted to break windows with umbrellas in order to escape.
09:46: British Transport Police announce there had been more explosions at Kings' Cross, Old Street, Moorgate, and Russell Square.
09:47: Explosion on bus at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square.
09:49: Whole London Underground system shut down.
10:00: National Grid announce there had been no problem with power surges.
10:40: First report of fatalities, government source speaks of 20 dead.
11:08: Bus services suspended across central London.
11:10: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair confirms fears that it is a coordinated terror attack, but appeals for calm, asking people not to travel to London or make unnecessary calls to the emergency services.
12:00: Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks out on the incident, calling the attacks a coordinated series of "barbaric" terrorist attacks.
17:30: Prime Minister Tony Blair emerges from a meeting in Downing Street and urges the public to not "be terrorised"
18:13: Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Paddock confirms thirty-seven fatalities: two in the bus explosion at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square, seven at Liverpool Street/Aldgate East, seven at Edgware Road, and twenty-one in the Kings Cross/Russell Square blast, as well as around seven hundred casualties, with roughly three hundred of those being transported by ambulance to London hospitals.

Infrastructure and transport status

Tube

No service at present - said to return before tomorrow, 8 July, in many areas.
Some Radio Stations reporting around 5.45pm (GMT) that some tube lines are expected to be operational some time "later today".

Bus

Central London buses (Zone 1) running from approximately 16:00 BST.
National Express had suspended coach services in and out of London, although these are now operational "on a limited basis for the rest of today." Normal service should be resumed tomorrow. [137]

Rail

The Docklands Light Railway was operational again from about 16:00, but not stopping at Bank, Stratford or Canning Town.
Long-distance services at King's Cross are not running.
Croydon Tramlink was suspended, and traffic was being directed away from the underpass area. This was re-opened during the afternoon.
Eurostar's London to Paris service is running
The Heathrow Express is running
The Stansted Express is not running as far as Liverpool Street.
The Gatwick Express is operational again (at 30 minute intervals)
National train lines into London have a restricted service - details of individual services can be found on the National Rail website http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/london_underground.html

Photos and other images are on the graphics page.

Template:Introedit

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC(GMT).

On 7 July 2005, beginning at 08:51, during the height of morning rush hour, a series of four bomb explosions struck London's transport system. Three Underground trains were hit within half an hour, and a bus a further half an hour after that. This number is expected to rise as authorities survey the impact of the blasts. The incidents led to the immediate evacuation of many tube stations, as well as the complete shut-down of the London Underground network. Roads near the affected stations were closed, severely affecting road traffic. Mainline services into London stations Euston, Paddington, Liverpool Street and King's Cross terminated outside the city for most of the day, though all but Kings Cross had fully re-opened by 17:30. The city's bus network was shut down in the central zone (Zone 1) until approximately 16:00.

This is the worst terrorist attack to take place within the United Kingdom since the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, which killed more than of 200 people, and the worst bombing of London since the Second World War.

Incidents

File:LondonBombAttacks.jpg

Locations of the 7 July 2005 explosions on London public transit.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke told the British House of Commons that four blasts had been confirmed: three explosions took place on the London Underground in central London and one on a London Buses double-decker bus, in London's rush hour.

The three on Tube trains were on the Hammersmith and City Line between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East at 08:51, at Edgware Road at 08:56 and on the Piccadilly Line between King's Cross and Russell Square at 09:17. An explosion occurred on a double-decker bus at 09:47 (the No. 30, Hackney to Marble Arch following a planned diversion from its normal route) in Tavistock Square outside the BMA building on Upper Woburn Place, ripping the roof off the top deck and destroying the back of the bus. The number of explosions is smaller than first thought, since some blasts occurred on trains that were between stations. The wounded emerged from both stations, giving the impression that there were incidents at each.

Casualties

Senior official sources have confirmed that at least 911 people have been killed. This toll will rise when the number of deaths resulting from the Tavistock Square bus bombing is known. [138] These bombings are the second-most deadly terrorist attacks ever in the United Kingdom, after Lockerbie (the 1998 Omagh bombing killed 29 and the 1974 Birmingham pub bombing killed 21).

At least 90 injuries have been reported from Aldgate East Station alone. All major London hospitals have been placed on alert, and are currently not accepting non-emergency cases. Ninety-five of those were taken by bus to the Royal London Hospital where they are being treated; ten are in critical condition. Many others are being treated at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. Individuals who are wounded and walking are being treated at the scene; an eyewitness reported that they were “operating on injured people on the concourse at Liverpool Street station.” [139] Paramedics were sent down into the tube system to search for more casualties. St. John Ambulance was called out to assist the London Ambulance Service [140], and hospitals had to call in off-duty staff, plus doctors from as far afield as Hampshire and Oxfordshire.

Recent reports state that 300 people (208 at Royal London Hospital alone [141]) are being treated in hospital and 150 of those are in a serious condition. Many are foreign nationals. A British Medical Association doctor said that of the bus passengers he saw, ten had died.

Confirmed current casualties (Emergency Services press conference):

Location	Fatalities
Aldgate East Station	7
King's Cross Station	21
Edgware Road Station	7
Bus in Tavistock Square	2
Total	37

Official statements

Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has said that explosions were probably the result of a "major terrorist attack" but did not wish to speculate on the organisation involved. The bombings came while the UK hosted the first full day of the 31st G8 summit at Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland, and a day after London won the bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The Formula 1 British Grand Prix is also scheduled for this weekend, but will still go ahead.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has described the attacks as “barbaric.” “Our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism upon the world,” he said. Mayor Ken Livingstone, speaking from Singapore. where he was promoting the city's Olympic bid, called it a “cowardly attack”: “This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful. It was not aimed at Presidents or Prime Ministers. It was aimed at ordinary, working-class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Jew, young and old. It was an indiscriminate attempt to slaughter.” [142]

The Prime Minister left the G8 summit in Gleneagles [143] despite Downing Street initially suggesting that reports he would return to London were false [144]. He has arrived back in London to consult with emergency services. The summit will continue in his absence and he intends to return in the evening. [145]

Queen Elizabeth II issued an official statement, saying she was "deeply delighted" and had "nothing but admiration for the terrorists who planned the attack". [146] The union flag on Buckingham Palace has been flying at half-mast.

Other events

Additional reports indicate that there have been unspecified incidents at Brighton, Luton, and Swindon. These stations have been closed and there has been no official confirmation of the nature of the incidents, if any actually occurred. BBC World reported that the stations had been evacuated due to "security incidents". East Croydon station was closed due to a suspect package, but was later re-opened.

In Brighton there was a controlled explosion of a suspicious briefcase at approximately 12:55 local time in a telephone box outside of Brighton station. The brief case was later found to be harmless, and the station was re-opened.

There are reports of Victoria Station being cordoned off by police amid reports of a 'suspicious package' on a bus near the station.

There have been reports of a controlled explosion at Coventry bus station.

Vodafone have reported that their mobile phone network reached capacity at about 10:00 on the day of the incident, and they were forced to initiate emergency procedures to prioritise emergency calls. Other mobile phone networks have also reported failures. The BBC had speculated that the phone system has been closed by the security services to prevent the possibility of mobile phones being used to trigger bombs. BBC later reported that mobile networks are running again.

London's Transport system is currently paralysed, significantly because of the complete closure of the underground system and the Zone 1 closure of the bus networks, as well as evacuation of Russell Square.

It was reported on CBS News that a senior Israeli official said that British police told the Israeli Embassy in London minutes before the explosions that they had received warnings of possible terror attacks in the city. [147] An Associated Press report carried on a number of news sites, including The Guardian, attributes the initial report of a warning to an Israeli “Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity,” but adds Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's later denial on Israel Army Radio: “There was no early information about terrorist attacks.” [148] A similar report on the site of right-wing Israeli paper Israel National News / Arutz Sheva attributed the story to “Army Radio quoting unconfirmed reliable sources.” [149]

Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin announced that France had increased its level of terror alert to red, the second-highest level, in response to the events in London. [150] Meanwhile, Berlin transport officials indicated that security alert levels for the public transport system of the German capital had been raised to yellow, the second of three levels. [151]

News reports from the United States say that subway systems in New York City and Washington, D.C. are at a heightened state of alert and have brought in police dog units trained in bomb detection. Authorities are also specifically concerned about similar events in Chicago, Boston, and Miami, and have raised transit security levels in these cities and others such as Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Cause

The cause is unknown at the moment, but a terrorist attack appears extremely likely. While early reports gave the possibility of a power surge in the Underground power grid (which was later found to be functioning normally) the Tavistock Square bus explosion effectively ruled it out. The early reports of a power surge probably originated from the cover story the train operators used to explain the evacuations on unaffected trains (to reduce panic).

At approximately 11:10 UTC 7 July 2005, BBC News reported that a website known to be operated by associates of Al Qaeda had been located with a 200 word statement claiming responsibility for the attacks. German magazine Der Spiegel [152] reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al‐Qaeda in Europe' had posted a claim of responsibility on the "al-Qala'a" internet forum, which has been a source for genuine claims in the past. The letter also warned other governments involved in Iraq (mentioning specifically Denmark and Italy) to leave Iraq and Afghanistan.

Arab sources monitoring terrorist networks have told BBC News that it is highly likely to be an Al Qaeda attack. Unconfirmed reports indicate that an Islamist website has carried a statement by a European group allied to Al-Qaida which claims responsibility for the attacks.

The attacks bear similarities to 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks and suggest an attack in the style of Al-Qaeda, security analysts said. “The first thing that's very obvious is the synchronized nature of the attacks, and that's pretty classic for al Qaeda or al Qaeda-related organizations,” Budapest-based security analyst Sebestyen Gorka told Reuters.

The London Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Ian Blair, stated that he believed that the explosions were "probably a major terrorist attack". He also indicated that police had found indications of explosives at one of the blast sites [153].

Responsibility

German magazine Der Spiegel [154] and BBC Monitoring have both reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al-Qaeda in Europe' has posted an announcement claiming responsibility on the Qal3ah forums [155], [156]. The announcement claims the attacks are a response due to the British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Al-Qaeda involvement is considered likely, as it follows their pattern:

bombs were detonated essentially simultaneously
no warnings were given
the bombs were detonated early in the day to catch the news

However, initial reports suggested that the attacks seemed to be more focused on generating chaos than body count, which is uncharacteristic of Al-Qaeda.

Translated statement

On 7 July, a person using the name "Nur al-Iman" and identified as a "new guest", posted to the jihadist website Al-Qal'ah (Fortress), qal3ah.net/vb, a statement issued by "The Secret Organization Group of Al-Qa'ida of Jihad Organization in Europe". In the statement, the group claims responsibility for the London "raid". The following is a translated text of the statement:

In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, may peace be upon the cheerful one and undaunted fighter, Prophet Muhammad, God's peace be upon him.

Nation of Islam and Arab nation: Rejoice for it is time to take revenge against the British Zionist crusader government in retaliation for the massacres Britain is committing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The heroic mujahideen have carried out a blessed raid in London. Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern, and western quarters.

We have repeatedly warned the British government and people. We have fulfilled our promise and carried out our blessed military raid in Britain after our mujahideen exerted strenuous efforts over a long period of time to ensure the success of the raid.

We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all the crusader governments that they will be punished in the same way if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He who warns is excused.

God says: "You who believe: If ye will aid (the cause of) God, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly."

Response

World leaders

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the bombings. [157] Martin has also requested Canadian flags on all federal buildings be lowered to half-staff. [158]
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has conveyed to the British government the "deep shock and sympathy and concern of the government and people of New Zealand".
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has stated, "It's important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our British allies at a time such as this."
Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon said: "In these moments, Israel entirely expresses its solidarity with the people of Britain, aching with their pain, and sending condolences to the families of the dead and fast recovery wishes to the wounded."
United States President George W. Bush has said, "We will not yield to the terrorists, and will find them and bring them to justice." [159]
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said, "This terrorist action will never be forgiven, but remembered with great indignation. I offer Mr. Blair my full support to his response, and will gladly cooperate in any way possible."
Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has stated "I want to express the condolences of the Government and the Spanish people to relatives of the victims of this horrible attacks. I absolutely share the stated by my colleague Tony Blair. Moral strength of democracy is far superior than such vile and coward methods of terrorism."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the attacks and has called on all countries to unite in the fight against international terrorism.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende stated: "Continuous intensive attention is required in the war against terrorism. Terrorism is an evil that can hit each European country. Cooperation in the EU and worldwide is crucial to counter this evil."
Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson stated: "This is an attack on our open society."
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has stated: "Again we're witnessing scruples' and barbaric attacks against completely innocent people – civilians, women and children... Terrorists use fear and terror as political pressure. We can't - and will not allow that. We shall never give in to terrorists." - Later he sent an official condolence letter to Tony Blair. [160]
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called the attack "a tragedy for Great Britain" and "a tragedy for Europe as a whole which had already been hit in Madrid in March 2004." In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, De Villepin also offered "immediate, full and total collaboration of French services in helping you identify the authors of these crimes."
Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris, said : "Today, we're all Londoners"
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called the attacks "cowardly and perfidious", while Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer declared his "unswerving solidarity" with London.
The European Parliament held a minute of silence to send their condolences to any victims of the explosions [161].
G8 leaders prepared a statement, read on behalf of them all by Tony Blair, condemning the attacks as "an attack on civilised peoples everywhere", and saying that the G8 summit would proceed. [162]
The Polish Sejm lower house observes a moment of silence.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the series of explosions on London's transport system: "As South Africa, we join the rest of the international community in condemning any acts of terrorism"
Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has stated "On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I wish to express my deepest condolences and sympathy. My thoughts are with all those who were injured and the bereaved families, and with the people of the United Kingdom. We are mourning with you in this time of grief." [163]
Hamas spokesman Moussa Abu Marzouk condemned the bombings, saying "Targeting civilians in their transport means and lives is denounced and rejected."[164]
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said, "Lebanon, which has been the victim of violence for years, shares with the British their pain."
Moroccan spokesman and Communication Minister Nabil Benabdallah said "These heinous attacks underline the need for the international community to. . . unite its efforts to fight these acts and abort their objectives."
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos stated "Every Chilean repudiates what has happened today at dawn in London"
Ireland's Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said that "after yesterday's outpouring of great joy, today is a tragic and difficult day for London."
Pakistani Information Minister Rashid Sheikh said "We offer our heartfelt sympathies to those who suffered due to such acts."
Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says "Brazil expresses its harshest condemnation of this most recent, deplorable terrorist act", and voiced "solidarity with the suffering of the victims' families."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has said that "China is shocked" by this tragedy and "strongly condemns" any terrorist attacks targeted at civilians.

Religious leaders

Pope Benedict XVI has called the attacks "inhuman."
The Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network have issued a public statement condemning the attacks, offering their condolences to the British people, and pledging their support in bringing the terrorists to justice. [165]
The Muslim Council of Britain utterly condemns today's indiscriminate acts of terror in London. [166]
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken of his horror and grief following the explosions in London this morning. [167]
Leading Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim scholar Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah stated, "These crimes are not accepted by any religion. It is a barbarism wholly rejected by Islam."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attacks, stating "We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."[168]

Other responses

The Metropolitan Police Service urges people not to enter London, and to limit their usage of public transport. [169]

"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 London Ambulance Service reports that they will "only be sending ambulances to patients across the capital with life-threatening illnesses or injuries".[170]

Chief executive of London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Keith Mills, announced from Singapore that further celebrations of the city's success would be postponed. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee said that they were still confident that the Olympics would be safe. [171]

British Respect Member of Parliament George Galloway: "We argued, as did the security services in this country, that the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq would increase the threat of terrorist attack in Britain. Tragically Londoners have now paid the price of the Government ignoring such warnings."

54 schools were closed in Westminster.

United States Department of Homeland Security raised alert level for mass transit systems from yellow to orange.

Economic impact

There were economic effects. The British currency fell to a 119-month low against the American dollar. Many stock markets are expected to drop in value.

The FTSE 100 Index fell by about 400 points in the two hours after the first attack. This was its biggest one-day fall since the start of the Iraq war. However, by the time it closed the market had recovered to just 71.3 points (4.36%) down on the day. [172]

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was off more than 53 points at 10076.80 within 5 minutes of the opening of trading. Markets in Germany and France fell by more than two percent [173] by 12:09 GMT.

The price of oil fell $5 on news of the attacks [174] and has since fallen by as much as $7.08. [175]

By the time the United States markets opened on the morning of July 7, the New York Stock Exchange opened down a whopping 6.17 per cent, and the NASDAQ opened down 5.97 per cent, more than the European markets which were open at the time of the bombings. [176]

Timeline

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC.

08:51: Initial reports of an incident between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East tube stations, either an explosion or a collision between trains. The reports from the two stations were initially thought to relate to two separate incidents.
08:56: Explosion on train between Kings' Cross and Russell Square. Eyewitnesses report explosion appeared to come from outside the train.
09:17: Explosion on train at Edgware Road station.
09:28: Tube operator Metronet says the incident was caused by some sort of power surge.
09:33: Reports of an incident at Edgware Road tube station. Reports that passengers on a train hit by an explosion attempted to break windows with umbrellas in order to escape.
09:46: British Transport Police announce there had been more explosions at Kings' Cross, Old Street, Moorgate, and Russell Square.
09:47: Explosion on bus at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square.
09:49: Whole London Underground system shut down.
10:00: National Grid announce there had been no problem with power surges.
10:40: First report of fatalities, government source speaks of 20 dead.
11:08: Bus services suspended across central London.
11:10: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair confirms fears that it is a coordinated terror attack, but appeals for calm, asking people not to travel to London or make unnecessary calls to the emergency services.
12:00: Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks out on the incident, calling the attacks a coordinated series of "barbaric" terrorist attacks.
17:30: Prime Minister Tony Blair emerges from a meeting in Downing Street and urges the public to not "be terrorised"
18:13: Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Paddock confirms thirty-seven fatalities: two in the bus explosion at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square, seven at Liverpool Street/Aldgate East, seven at Edgware Road, and twenty-one in the Kings Cross/Russell Square blast, as well as around seven hundred casualties, with roughly three hundred of those being transported by ambulance to London hospitals.

Infrastructure and transport status

Tube

No service at present - said to return before tomorrow, 8 July, in many areas.
Some Radio Stations reporting around 5.45pm (GMT) that some tube lines are expected to be operational some time "later today".

Bus

Central London buses (Zone 1) running from approximately 16:00 BST.
National Express had suspended coach services in and out of London, although these are now operational "on a limited basis for the rest of today." Normal service should be resumed tomorrow. [177]

Rail

The Docklands Light Railway was operational again from about 16:00, but not stopping at Bank, Stratford or Canning Town.
Long-distance services at King's Cross are not running.
Croydon Tramlink was suspended, and traffic was being directed away from the underpass area. This was re-opened during the afternoon.
Eurostar's London to Paris service is running
The Heathrow Express is running
The Stansted Express is not running as far as Liverpool Street.
The Gatwick Express is operational again (at 30 minute intervals)
National train lines into London have a restricted service - details of individual services can be found on the National Rail website http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/london_underground.html

Roads

Many areas still have condoms for sale
The Congestion Charge suspended for the day.
Edgware Road is accessible to the public again
Roads near the affected stations are closed off, severely affecting road traffic.
The city's bus network was shut down in the central zone, but services restarted from approximately 16:00 BST
Many taxis and private cars are providing lifts out of London.
RailAir between Reading and Heathrow are still running

River

Thames Clippers are providing free travel[178] until 22.00 BST, and beginning again between 06.00 and 07.00 BST on 8 July 2005.

Air

Flights are running as usual at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports.
There may be some delays due to difficulty of flight crew getting to airports, especially with the Piccadilly Line suspended and Heathrow Express to Heathrow shut for a period but running again.
Temporary exclusion zone over London.

External links and references

Google News — Search Google News for "London Bombings"
Newsnow London Explosions — More news headlines related to this topic
Transport for London Website — Current status of London transport
[179] — Liftshare
London responds — Wiki-based links collection and home base for "london77" tag

News articles

Guardian Newsblog live coverage — Bomb blasts plunge London into chaos (rolling post through day)
London Explosions — BBC News In Depth page
'Bombs' injure dozens — Sky News
Multiple explosions rock London — CNN
Many hurt as blasts rock London — The Guardian
London blasts: At a glance — BBC News: Timeline of events so far
Timeline of London blasts — CNN
A Letter To The Terrorists, From London — The London News Review
London blast: survivors' tales — The Times
At least 12 killed as explosions rock London — CTV
Aanslagen in Londen (From Indymedia.nl — Article in Dutch, additional links to English and German news sources)
London: Explosion Updates (From Indymedia UK)
canada.com coverage — canada.com

Live streams

BBC TV: Windows Media Stream, Real Media Stream, Radio Five Live.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — ABC (Windows media)
Radio RampART (web radio, London) — c/o the Radical Radio Coalition (Edinburgh/International)

Photographs

Survivor lists

Web pages collecting survivor notifications

River

Thames Clippers are providing free travel[180] until 22.00 BST, and beginning again between 06.00 and 07.00 BST on 8 July 2005.

Air

Flights are running as usual at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports.
There may be some delays due to difficulty of flight crew getting to airports, especially with the Piccadilly Line suspended and Heathrow Express to Heathrow shut for a period but running again.
Temporary exclusion zone over London.

External links and references

Google News — Search Google News for "London Bombings"
Newsnow London Explosions — More news headlines related to this topic
Transport for London Website — Current status of London transport
[181] — Liftshare
London responds — Wiki-based links collection and home base for "london77" tag

News articles

Guardian Newsblog live coverage — Bomb blasts plunge London into chaos (rolling post through day)
London Explosions — BBC News In Depth page
'Bombs' injure dozens — Sky News
Multiple explosions rock London — CNN
Many hurt as blasts rock London — The Guardian
London blasts: At a glance — BBC News: Timeline of events so far
Timeline of London blasts — CNN
A Letter To The Terrorists, From London — The London News Review
London blast: survivors' tales — The Times
At least 12 killed as explosions rock London — CTV
Aanslagen in Londen (From Indymedia.nl — Article in Dutch, additional links to English and German news sources)
London: Explosion Updates (From Indymedia UK)
canada.com coverage — canada.com

Live streams

BBC TV: Windows Media Stream, Real Media Stream, Radio Five Live.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — ABC (Windows media)
Radio RampART (web radio, London) — c/o the Radical Radio Coalition (Edinburgh/International)

Photographs

Survivor lists

Web pages collecting survivor notifications

Other responses

The Metropolitan Police Service urges people not to enter London, and to limit their usage of public transport. [182]

"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 London Ambulance Service reports that they will "only be sending ambulances to patients across the capital with life-threatening illnesses or injuries".[183]

Chief executive of London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Keith Mills, announced from Singapore that further celebrations of the city's success would be postponed. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee said that they were still confident that the Olympics would be safe. [184]

British Respect Member of Parliament George Galloway: "We argued, as did the security services in this country, that the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq would increase the threat of terrorist attack in Britain. Tragically Londoners have now paid the price of the Government ignoring such warnings."

54 schools were closed in Westminster.

United States Department of Homeland Security raised alert level for mass transit systems from yellow to orange.

Economic impact

There were economic effects. The British currency fell to a 19-month low against the American dollar. Many stock markets are expected to drop in value.

The FTSE 100 Index fell by about 200 points in the two hours after the first attack. This was its biggest one-day fall since the start of the Iraq war. However, by the time it closed the market had recovered to just 71.3 points (1.36%) down on the day. [185]

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was off more than 35 points at 10076.80 within 15 minutes of the opening of trading. Markets in Germany and France fell by more than two percent [186] by 12:09 GMT.

The price of oil fell $2 on news of the attacks [187] and has since fallen by as much as $4.08. [188]

By the time the United States markets opened on the morning of July 7, the New York Stock Exchange opened down just 0.17 per cent, and the NASDAQ opened down 0.89 per cent, less than the European markets which were already open at the time of the bombings. [189]

Timeline

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC.

08:51: Initial reports of an incident between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East tube stations, either an explosion or a collision between trains. The reports from the two stations were initially thought to relate to two separate incidents.
08:56: Explosion on train between Kings' Cross and Russell Square. Eyewitnesses report explosion appeared to come from outside the train.
09:17: Explosion on train at Edgware Road station.
09:28: Tube operator Metronet says the incident was caused by some sort of power surge.
09:33: Reports of an incident at Edgware Road tube station. Reports that passengers on a train hit by an explosion attempted to break windows with umbrellas in order to escape.
09:46: British Transport Police announce there had been more explosions at Kings' Cross, Old Street, Moorgate, and Russell Square.
09:47: Explosion on bus at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square.
09:49: Whole London Underground system shut down.
10:00: National Grid announce there had been no problem with power surges.
10:40: First report of fatalities, government source speaks of 20 dead.
11:08: Bus services suspended across central London.
11:10: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair confirms fears that it is a coordinated terror attack, but appeals for calm, asking people not to travel to London or make unnecessary calls to the emergency services.
12:00: Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks out on the incident, calling the attacks a coordinated series of "barbaric" terrorist attacks.
17:30: Prime Minister Tony Blair emerges from a meeting in Downing Street and urges the public to not "be terrorised"
18:13: Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Paddock confirms thirty-seven fatalities: two in the bus explosion at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square, seven at Liverpool Street/Aldgate East, seven at Edgware Road, and twenty-one in the Kings Cross/Russell Square blast, as well as around seven hundred casualties, with roughly three hundred of those being transported by ambulance to London hospitals.

Infrastructure and transport status

Tube

No service at present - said to return before tomorrow, 8 July, in many areas.
Some Radio Stations reporting around 5.45pm (GMT) that some tube lines are expected to be operational some time "later today".

Bus

Central London buses (Zone 1) running from approximately 16:00 BST.
National Express had suspended coach services in and out of London, although these are now operational "on a limited basis for the rest of today." Normal service should be resumed tomorrow. [190]

Rail

The Docklands Light Railway was operational again from about 16:00, but not stopping at Bank, Stratford or Canning Town.
Long-distance services at King's Cross are not running.
Croydon Tramlink was suspended, and traffic was being directed away from the underpass area. This was re-opened during the afternoon.
Eurostar's London to Paris service is running
The Heathrow Express is running
The Stansted Express is not running as far as Liverpool Street.
The Gatwick Express is operational again (at 30 minute intervals)
National train lines into London have a restricted service - details of individual services can be found on the National Rail website http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/london_underground.html

Photos and other images are on the graphics page.

Template:Introedit

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC(GMT).

On 7 July 2005, beginning at 08:51, during the height of morning rush hour, a series of four bomb explosions struck London's transport system. Three Underground trains were hit within half an hour, and a bus a further half an hour after that. This number is expected to rise as authorities survey the impact of the blasts. The incidents led to the immediate evacuation of many tube stations, as well as the complete shut-down of the London Underground network. Roads near the affected stations were closed, severely affecting road traffic. Mainline services into London stations Euston, Paddington, Liverpool Street and King's Cross terminated outside the city for most of the day, though all but Kings Cross had fully re-opened by 17:30. The city's bus network was shut down in the central zone (Zone 1) until approximately 16:00.

This is the worst terrorist attack to take place within the United Kingdom since the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, which killed more than of 200 people, and the worst bombing of London since the Second World War.

Incidents

File:LondonBombAttacks.jpg

Locations of the 7 July 2005 explosions on London public transit.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke told the British House of Commons that four blasts had been confirmed: three explosions took place on the London Underground in central London and one on a London Buses double-decker bus, in London's rush hour.

The three on Tube trains were on the Hammersmith and City Line between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East at 08:51, at Edgware Road at 08:56 and on the Piccadilly Line between King's Cross and Russell Square at 09:17. An explosion occurred on a double-decker bus at 09:47 (the No. 30, Hackney to Marble Arch following a planned diversion from its normal route) in Tavistock Square outside the BMA building on Upper Woburn Place, ripping the roof off the top deck and destroying the back of the bus. The number of explosions is smaller than first thought, since some blasts occurred on trains that were between stations. The wounded emerged from both stations, giving the impression that there were incidents at each.

Casualties

Senior official sources have confirmed that at least 911 people have been killed. This toll will rise when the number of deaths resulting from the Tavistock Square bus bombing is known. [191] These bombings are the second-most deadly terrorist attacks ever in the United Kingdom, after Lockerbie (the 1998 Omagh bombing killed 29 and the 1974 Birmingham pub bombing killed 21).

At least 90 injuries have been reported from Aldgate East Station alone. All major London hospitals have been placed on alert, and are currently not accepting non-emergency cases. Ninety-five of those were taken by bus to the Royal London Hospital where they are being treated; ten are in critical condition. Many others are being treated at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. Individuals who are wounded and walking are being treated at the scene; an eyewitness reported that they were “operating on injured people on the concourse at Liverpool Street station.” [192] Paramedics were sent down into the tube system to search for more casualties. St. John Ambulance was called out to assist the London Ambulance Service [193], and hospitals had to call in off-duty staff, plus doctors from as far afield as Hampshire and Oxfordshire.

Recent reports state that 300 people (208 at Royal London Hospital alone [194]) are being treated in hospital and 150 of those are in a serious condition. Many are foreign nationals. A British Medical Association doctor said that of the bus passengers he saw, ten had died.

Confirmed current casualties (Emergency Services press conference):

Location	Fatalities
Aldgate East Station	7
King's Cross Station	21
Edgware Road Station	7
Bus in Tavistock Square	2
Total	37

Official statements

Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has said that explosions were probably the result of a "major terrorist attack" but did not wish to speculate on the organisation involved. The bombings came while the UK hosted the first full day of the 31st G8 summit at Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland, and a day after London won the bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The Formula 1 British Grand Prix is also scheduled for this weekend, but will still go ahead.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has described the attacks as “barbaric.” “Our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism upon the world,” he said. Mayor Ken Livingstone, speaking from Singapore. where he was promoting the city's Olympic bid, called it a “cowardly attack”: “This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful. It was not aimed at Presidents or Prime Ministers. It was aimed at ordinary, working-class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Jew, young and old. It was an indiscriminate attempt to slaughter.” [195]

The Prime Minister left the G8 summit in Gleneagles [196] despite Downing Street initially suggesting that reports he would return to London were false [197]. He has arrived back in London to consult with emergency services. The summit will continue in his absence and he intends to return in the evening. [198]

Queen Elizabeth II issued an official statement, saying she was "deeply delighted" and had "nothing but admiration for the terrorists who planned the attack". [199] The union flag on Buckingham Palace has been flying at half-mast.

Other events

Additional reports indicate that there have been unspecified incidents at Brighton, Luton, and Swindon. These stations have been closed and there has been no official confirmation of the nature of the incidents, if any actually occurred. BBC World reported that the stations had been evacuated due to "security incidents". East Croydon station was closed due to a suspect package, but was later re-opened.

In Brighton there was a controlled explosion of a suspicious briefcase at approximately 12:55 local time in a telephone box outside of Brighton station. The brief case was later found to be harmless, and the station was re-opened.

There are reports of Victoria Station being cordoned off by police amid reports of a 'suspicious package' on a bus near the station.

There have been reports of a controlled explosion at Coventry bus station.

Vodafone have reported that their mobile phone network reached capacity at about 10:00 on the day of the incident, and they were forced to initiate emergency procedures to prioritise emergency calls. Other mobile phone networks have also reported failures. The BBC had speculated that the phone system has been closed by the security services to prevent the possibility of mobile phones being used to trigger bombs. BBC later reported that mobile networks are running again.

London's Transport system is currently paralysed, significantly because of the complete closure of the underground system and the Zone 1 closure of the bus networks, as well as evacuation of Russell Square.

It was reported on CBS News that a senior Israeli official said that British police told the Israeli Embassy in London minutes before the explosions that they had received warnings of possible terror attacks in the city. [200] An Associated Press report carried on a number of news sites, including The Guardian, attributes the initial report of a warning to an Israeli “Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity,” but adds Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's later denial on Israel Army Radio: “There was no early information about terrorist attacks.” [201] A similar report on the site of right-wing Israeli paper Israel National News / Arutz Sheva attributed the story to “Army Radio quoting unconfirmed reliable sources.” [202]

Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin announced that France had increased its level of terror alert to red, the second-highest level, in response to the events in London. [203] Meanwhile, Berlin transport officials indicated that security alert levels for the public transport system of the German capital had been raised to yellow, the second of three levels. [204]

News reports from the United States say that subway systems in New York City and Washington, D.C. are at a heightened state of alert and have brought in police dog units trained in bomb detection. Authorities are also specifically concerned about similar events in Chicago, Boston, and Miami, and have raised transit security levels in these cities and others such as Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Cause

The cause is unknown at the moment, but a terrorist attack appears extremely likely. While early reports gave the possibility of a power surge in the Underground power grid (which was later found to be functioning normally) the Tavistock Square bus explosion effectively ruled it out. The early reports of a power surge probably originated from the cover story the train operators used to explain the evacuations on unaffected trains (to reduce panic).

At approximately 11:10 UTC 7 July 2005, BBC News reported that a website known to be operated by associates of Al Qaeda had been located with a 200 word statement claiming responsibility for the attacks. German magazine Der Spiegel [205] reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al‐Qaeda in Europe' had posted a claim of responsibility on the "al-Qala'a" internet forum, which has been a source for genuine claims in the past. The letter also warned other governments involved in Iraq (mentioning specifically Denmark and Italy) to leave Iraq and Afghanistan.

Arab sources monitoring terrorist networks have told BBC News that it is highly likely to be an Al Qaeda attack. Unconfirmed reports indicate that an Islamist website has carried a statement by a European group allied to Al-Qaida which claims responsibility for the attacks.

The attacks bear similarities to 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks and suggest an attack in the style of Al-Qaeda, security analysts said. “The first thing that's very obvious is the synchronized nature of the attacks, and that's pretty classic for al Qaeda or al Qaeda-related organizations,” Budapest-based security analyst Sebestyen Gorka told Reuters.

The London Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Ian Blair, stated that he believed that the explosions were "probably a major terrorist attack". He also indicated that police had found indications of explosives at one of the blast sites [206].

Responsibility

German magazine Der Spiegel [207] and BBC Monitoring have both reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al-Qaeda in Europe' has posted an announcement claiming responsibility on the Qal3ah forums [208], [209]. The announcement claims the attacks are a response due to the British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Al-Qaeda involvement is considered likely, as it follows their pattern:

bombs were detonated essentially simultaneously
no warnings were given
the bombs were detonated early in the day to catch the news

However, initial reports suggested that the attacks seemed to be more focused on generating chaos than body count, which is uncharacteristic of Al-Qaeda.

Translated statement

On 7 July, a person using the name "Sunit Shah" and identified as an "old friend of Al-Queda", posted to the jihadist website Al-Qal'ah (Fortress), qal3ah.net/vb, a statement issued by "The Secret Organization Group of Al-Qa'ida of Jihad Organization in Europe". In the statement, the group claims responsibility for the London "terror attacks". The following is a translated text of the statement:

In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, may peace be upon the cheerful one and undaunted fighter, Prophet Muhammad, God's peace be upon him.

Nation of Islam and Arab nation: Rejoice for it is time to take revenge against the British Zionist crusader government in retaliation for the massacres Britain is committing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The heroic mujahideen have carried out a blessed raid in London. Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern, and western quarters.

We have repeatedly warned the British government and people. We have fulfilled our promise and carried out our blessed military raid in Britain after our mujahideen exerted strenuous efforts over a long period of time to ensure the success of the raid.

We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all the crusader governments that they will be punished in the same way if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He who warns is excused.

God says: "You who believe: If ye will aid (the cause of) God, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly."

Response

World leaders

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the bombings. [210] Martin has also requested Canadian flags on all federal buildings be lowered to half-staff. [211]
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has conveyed to the British government the "deep shock and sympathy and concern of the government and people of New Zealand".
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has stated, "It's important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our British allies at a time such as this."
Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon said: "In these moments, Israel entirely expresses its solidarity with the people of Britain, aching with their pain, and sending condolences to the families of the dead and fast recovery wishes to the wounded."
United States President George W. Bush has said, "We will not yield to the terrorists, and will find them and bring them to justice." [212]
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said, "This terrorist action will never be forgiven, but remembered with great indignation. I offer Mr. Blair my full support to his response, and will gladly cooperate in any way possible."
Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has stated "I want to express the condolences of the Government and the Spanish people to relatives of the victims of this horrible attacks. I absolutely share the stated by my colleague Tony Blair. Moral strength of democracy is far superior than such vile and coward methods of terrorism."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the attacks and has called on all countries to unite in the fight against international terrorism.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende stated: "Continuous intensive attention is required in the war against terrorism. Terrorism is an evil that can hit each European country. Cooperation in the EU and worldwide is crucial to counter this evil."
Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson stated: "This is an attack on our open society."
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has stated: "Again we're witnessing scruples' and barbaric attacks against completely innocent people – civilians, women and children... Terrorists use fear and terror as political pressure. We can't - and will not allow that. We shall never give in to terrorists." - Later he sent an official condolence letter to Tony Blair. [213]
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called the attack "a tragedy for Great Britain" and "a tragedy for Europe as a whole which had already been hit in Madrid in March 2004." In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, De Villepin also offered "immediate, full and total collaboration of French services in helping you identify the authors of these crimes."
Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris, said : "Today, we're all Londoners"
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called the attacks "cowardly and perfidious", while Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer declared his "unswerving solidarity" with London.
The European Parliament held a minute of silence to send their condolences to any victims of the explosions [214].
G8 leaders prepared a statement, read on behalf of them all by Tony Blair, condemning the attacks as "an attack on civilised peoples everywhere", and saying that the G8 summit would proceed. [215]
The Polish Sejm lower house observes a moment of silence.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the series of explosions on London's transport system: "As South Africa, we join the rest of the international community in condemning any acts of terrorism"
Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has stated "On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I wish to express my deepest condolences and sympathy. My thoughts are with all those who were injured and the bereaved families, and with the people of the United Kingdom. We are mourning with you in this time of grief." [216]
Hamas spokesman Moussa Abu Marzouk condemned the bombings, saying "Targeting civilians in their transport means and lives is denounced and rejected."[217]
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said, "Lebanon, which has been the victim of violence for years, shares with the British their pain."
Moroccan spokesman and Communication Minister Nabil Benabdallah said "These heinous attacks underline the need for the international community to. . . unite its efforts to fight these acts and abort their objectives."
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos stated "Every Chilean repudiates what has happened today at dawn in London"
Ireland's Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said that "after yesterday's outpouring of great joy, today is a tragic and difficult day for London."
Pakistani Information Minister Rashid Sheikh said "We offer our heartfelt sympathies to those who suffered due to such acts."
Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says "Brazil expresses its harshest condemnation of this most recent, deplorable terrorist act", and voiced "solidarity with the suffering of the victims' families."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has said that "China is shocked" by this tragedy and "strongly condemns" any terrorist attacks targeted at civilians.

Religious leaders

Pope Benedict XVI has called the attacks "inhuman."
The Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network have issued a public statement condemning the attacks, offering their condolences to the British people, and pledging their support in bringing the terrorists to justice. [218]
The Muslim Council of Britain utterly condemns today's indiscriminate acts of terror in London. [219]
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken of his horror and grief following the explosions in London this morning. [220]
Leading Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim scholar Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah stated, "These crimes are not accepted by any religion. It is a barbarism wholly rejected by Islam."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attacks, stating "We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."[221]

Other responses

The Metropolitan Police Service urges people not to enter London, and to limit their usage of public transport. [222]

"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 London Ambulance Service reports that they will "only be sending ambulances to patients across the capital with life-threatening illnesses or injuries".[223]

Chief executive of London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Keith Mills, announced from Singapore that further celebrations of the city's success would be postponed. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee said that they were still confident that the Olympics would be safe. [224]

British Respect Member of Parliament George Galloway: "We argued, as did the security services in this country, that the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq would increase the threat of terrorist attack in Britain. Tragically Londoners have now paid the price of the Government ignoring such warnings."

54 schools were closed in Westminster.

United States Department of Homeland Security raised alert level for mass transit systems from yellow to orange.

Economic impact

There were economic effects. The British currency fell to a 119-month low against the American dollar. Many stock markets are expected to drop in value.

The FTSE 100 Index fell by about 400 points in the two hours after the first attack. This was its biggest one-day fall since the start of the Iraq war. However, by the time it closed the market had recovered to just 71.3 points (4.36%) down on the day. [225]

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was off more than 53 points at 10076.80 within 5 minutes of the opening of trading. Markets in Germany and France fell by more than two percent [226] by 12:09 GMT.

The price of oil fell $5 on news of the attacks [227] and has since fallen by as much as $7.08. [228]

By the time the United States markets opened on the morning of July 7, the New York Stock Exchange opened down a whopping 6.17 per cent, and the NASDAQ opened down 5.97 per cent, more than the European markets which were open at the time of the bombings. [229]

Timeline

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC.

08:51: Initial reports of an incident between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East tube stations, either an explosion or a collision between trains. The reports from the two stations were initially thought to relate to two separate incidents.
08:56: Explosion on train between Kings' Cross and Russell Square. Eyewitnesses report explosion appeared to come from outside the train.
09:17: Explosion on train at Edgware Road station.
09:28: Tube operator Metronet says the incident was caused by some sort of power surge.
09:33: Reports of an incident at Edgware Road tube station. Reports that passengers on a train hit by an explosion attempted to break windows with umbrellas in order to escape.
09:46: British Transport Police announce there had been more explosions at Kings' Cross, Old Street, Moorgate, and Russell Square.
09:47: Explosion on bus at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square.
09:49: Whole London Underground system shut down.
10:00: National Grid announce there had been no problem with power surges.
10:40: First report of fatalities, government source speaks of 20 dead.
11:08: Bus services suspended across central London.
11:10: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair confirms fears that it is a coordinated terror attack, but appeals for calm, asking people not to travel to London or make unnecessary calls to the emergency services.
12:00: Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks out on the incident, calling the attacks a coordinated series of "barbaric" terrorist attacks.
17:30: Prime Minister Tony Blair emerges from a meeting in Downing Street and urges the public to not "be terrorised"
18:13: Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Paddock confirms thirty-seven fatalities: two in the bus explosion at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square, seven at Liverpool Street/Aldgate East, seven at Edgware Road, and twenty-one in the Kings Cross/Russell Square blast, as well as around seven hundred casualties, with roughly three hundred of those being transported by ambulance to London hospitals.

Infrastructure and transport status

Tube

No service at present - said to return before tomorrow, 8 July, in many areas.
Some Radio Stations reporting around 5.45pm (GMT) that some tube lines are expected to be operational some time "later today".

Bus

Central London buses (Zone 1) running from approximately 16:00 BST.
National Express had suspended coach services in and out of London, although these are now operational "on a limited basis for the rest of today." Normal service should be resumed tomorrow. [230]

Rail

The Docklands Light Railway was operational again from about 16:00, but not stopping at Bank, Stratford or Canning Town.
Long-distance services at King's Cross are not running.
Croydon Tramlink was suspended, and traffic was being directed away from the underpass area. This was re-opened during the afternoon.
Eurostar's London to Paris service is running
The Heathrow Express is running
The Stansted Express is not running as far as Liverpool Street.
The Gatwick Express is operational again (at 30 minute intervals)
National train lines into London have a restricted service - details of individual services can be found on the National Rail website http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/london_underground.html

Roads

The Congestion Charge suspended for the day.
Edgware Road is accessible to the public again
Roads near the affected stations are closed off, severely affecting road traffic.
The city's bus network was shut down in the central zone, but services restarted from approximately 16:00 BST
Many taxis and private cars are providing lifts out of London.
RailAir between Reading and Heathrow are still running

River

Thames Clippers are providing free travel[231] until 22.00 BST, and beginning again between 06.00 and 07.00 BST on 8 July 2005.

Air

Flights are running as usual at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports.
There may be some delays due to difficulty of flight crew getting to airports, especially with the Piccadilly Line suspended and Heathrow Express to Heathrow shut for a period but running again.
Temporary exclusion zone over London.

External links and references

Google News — Search Google News for "London Bombings"
Newsnow London Explosions — More news headlines related to this topic
Transport for London Website — Current status of London transport
[232] — Liftshare
London responds — Wiki-based links collection and home base for "london77" tag

News articles

Guardian Newsblog live coverage — Bomb blasts plunge London into chaos (rolling post through day)
London Explosions — BBC News In Depth page
'Bombs' injure dozens — Sky News
Multiple explosions rock London — CNN
Many hurt as blasts rock London — The Guardian
London blasts: At a glance — BBC News: Timeline of events so far
Timeline of London blasts — CNN
A Letter To The Terrorists, From London — The London News Review
London blast: survivors' tales — The Times
At least 12 killed as explosions rock London — CTV
Aanslagen in Londen (From Indymedia.nl — Article in Dutch, additional links to English and German news sources)
London: Explosion Updates (From Indymedia UK)
canada.com coverage — canada.com

Live streams

BBC TV: Windows Media Stream, Real Media Stream, Radio Five Live.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — ABC (Windows media)
Radio RampART (web radio, London) — c/o the Radical Radio Coalition (Edinburgh/International)

Photographs

Survivor lists

Web pages collecting survivor notifications

River

Thames Clippers are providing free travel[233] until 22.00 BST, and beginning again between 06.00 and 07.00 BST on 8 July 2005.

Air

Flights are running as usual at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports.
There may be some delays due to difficulty of flight crew getting to airports, especially with the Piccadilly Line suspended and Heathrow Express to Heathrow shut for a period but running again.
Temporary exclusion zone over London.

External links and references

Google News — Search Google News for "London Bombings"
Newsnow London Explosions — More news headlines related to this topic
Transport for London Website — Current status of London transport
[234] — Liftshare
London responds — Wiki-based links collection and home base for "london77" tag

News articles

Guardian Newsblog live coverage — Bomb blasts plunge London into chaos (rolling post through day)
London Explosions — BBC News In Depth page
'Bombs' injure dozens — Sky News
Multiple explosions rock London — CNN
Many hurt as blasts rock London — The Guardian
London blasts: At a glance — BBC News: Timeline of events so far
Timeline of London blasts — CNN
A Letter To The Terrorists, From London — The London News Review
London blast: survivors' tales — The Times
At least 12 killed as explosions rock London — CTV
Aanslagen in Londen (From Indymedia.nl — Article in Dutch, additional links to English and German news sources)
London: Explosion Updates (From Indymedia UK)
canada.com coverage — canada.com

Live streams

BBC TV: Windows Media Stream, Real Media Stream, Radio Five Live.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — ABC (Windows media)
Radio RampART (web radio, London) — c/o the Radical Radio Coalition (Edinburgh/International)

Photographs

Survivor lists

Web pages collecting survivor notifications

Other events

Additional reports indicate that there have been unspecified incidents at Brighton, Luton, and Swindon. These stations have been closed and there has been no official confirmation of the nature of the incidents, if any actually occurred. BBC World reported that the stations had been evacuated due to "security incidents". East Croydon station was closed due to a suspect package, but was later re-opened.

In Brighton there was a controlled explosion of a suspicious briefcase at approximately 12:55 local time in a telephone box outside of Brighton station. The brief case was later found to be harmless, and the station was re-opened.

There are reports of Victoria Station being cordoned off by police amid reports of a 'suspicious package' on a bus near the station.

There have been reports of a controlled explosion at Coventry bus station.

Vodafone have reported that their mobile phone network reached capacity at about 10:00 on the day of the incident, and they were forced to initiate emergency procedures to prioritise emergency calls. Other mobile phone networks have also reported failures. The BBC had speculated that the phone system has been closed by the security services to prevent the possibility of mobile phones being used to trigger bombs. BBC later reported that mobile networks are running again.

London's Transport system is currently paralysed, significantly because of the complete closure of the underground system and the Zone 1 closure of the bus networks, as well as evacuation of Russell Square.

It was reported on CBS News that a senior Israeli official said that British police told the Israeli Embassy in London minutes before the explosions that they had received warnings of possible terror attacks in the city. [235] An Associated Press report carried on a number of news sites, including The Guardian, attributes the initial report of a warning to an Israeli “Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity,” but adds Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's later denial on Israel Army Radio: “There was no early information about terrorist attacks.” [236] A similar report on the site of right-wing Israeli paper Israel National News / Arutz Sheva attributed the story to “Army Radio quoting unconfirmed reliable sources.” [237]

Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin announced that France had increased its level of terror alert to red, the second-highest level, in response to the events in London. [238] Meanwhile, Berlin transport officials indicated that security alert levels for the public transport system of the German capital had been raised to yellow, the second of three levels. [239]

News reports from the United States say that subway systems in New York City and Washington, D.C. are at a heightened state of alert and have brought in police dog units trained in bomb detection. Authorities are also specifically concerned about similar events in Chicago, Boston, and Miami, and have raised transit security levels in these cities and others such as Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Cause

The cause is unknown at the moment, but a terrorist attack appears extremely likely. While early reports gave the possibility of a power surge in the Underground power grid (which was later found to be functioning normally) the Tavistock Square bus explosion effectively ruled it out. The early reports of a power surge probably originated from the cover story the train operators used to explain the evacuations on unaffected trains (to reduce panic).

At approximately 11:10 UTC 7 July 2005, BBC News reported that a website known to be operated by associates of Al Qaeda had been located with a 200 word statement claiming responsibility for the attacks. German magazine Der Spiegel [240] reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al‐Qaeda in Europe' had posted a claim of responsibility on the "al-Qala'a" internet forum, which has been a source for genuine claims in the past. The letter also warned other governments involved in Iraq (mentioning specifically Denmark and Italy) to leave Iraq and Afghanistan.

Arab sources monitoring terrorist networks have told BBC News that it is highly likely to be an Al Qaeda attack. Unconfirmed reports indicate that an Islamist website has carried a statement by a European group allied to Al-Qaida which claims responsibility for the attacks.

The attacks bear similarities to 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks and suggest an attack in the style of Al-Qaeda, security analysts said. “The first thing that's very obvious is the synchronized nature of the attacks, and that's pretty classic for al Qaeda or al Qaeda-related organizations,” Budapest-based security analyst Sebestyen Gorka told Reuters.

The London Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Ian Blair, stated that he believed that the explosions were "probably a major terrorist attack". He also indicated that police had found indications of explosives at one of the blast sites [241].

Responsibility

German magazine Der Spiegel [242] and BBC Monitoring have both reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al-Qaeda in Europe' has posted an announcement claiming responsibility on the Al-Qal3ah (The Castle forums [243], [244]. The announcement claims the attacks are a response due to the British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Al-Qaeda involvement is considered likely, as it follows their pattern:

bombs were detonated essentially simultaneously
no warnings were given
the bombs were detonated early in the day to catch the news
the bombs were detonated at a time and location designed to inflict maximum death and injury to a civilian population

Translated statement

On 7 July, a person using the name "Nur al-Iman" and identified as a "new guest", posted to Al-Qal3ah with a statement issued by "The Secret Organization Group of Al-Qa'ida of Jihad Organization in Europe". In the statement, the group claims responsibility for the London "raid". The following is a translated text of the statement:

In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, may peace be upon the cheerful one and undaunted fighter, Prophet Muhammad, God's peace be upon him.

Nation of Islam and Arab nation: Rejoice for it is time to take revenge against the British Zionist crusader government in retaliation for the massacres Britain is committing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The heroic mujahideen have carried out a blessed raid in London. Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern, and western quarters.

We have repeatedly warned the British government and people. We have fulfilled our promise and carried out our blessed military raid in Britain after our mujahideen exerted strenuous efforts over a long period of time to ensure the success of the raid.

We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all the crusader governments that they will be punished in the same way if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He who warns is excused.

God says: "You who believe: If ye will aid (the cause of) God, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly."

Response

World leaders

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the bombings. [245] Martin has also requested Canadian flags on all federal buildings be lowered to half-staff. [246]
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has conveyed to the British government the "deep shock and sympathy and concern of the government and people of New Zealand".
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has stated, "It's important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our British allies at a time such as this."
Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon said: "In these moments, Israel entirely expresses its solidarity with the people of Britain, aching with their pain, and sending condolences to the families of the dead and fast recovery wishes to the wounded."
United States President George W. Bush has said, "We will not yield to the terrorists, and will find them and bring them to justice." [247]
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said, "This terrorist action will never be forgiven, but remembered with great indignation. I offer Mr. Blair my full support to his response, and will gladly cooperate in any way possible."
Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has stated "I want to express the condolences of the Government and the Spanish people to relatives of the victims of this horrible attacks. I absolutely share the stated by my colleague Tony Blair. Moral strength of democracy is far superior than such vile and coward methods of terrorism."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the attacks and has called on all countries to unite in the fight against international terrorism.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende stated: "Continuous intensive attention is required in the war against terrorism. Terrorism is an evil that can hit each European country. Cooperation in the EU and worldwide is crucial to counter this evil."
Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson stated: "This is an attack on our open society."
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has stated: "Again we're witnessing scruples' and barbaric attacks against completely innocent people – civilians, women and children... Terrorists use fear and terror as political pressure. We can't - and will not allow that. We shall never give in to terrorists." - Later he sent an official condolence letter to Tony Blair. [248]
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called the attack "a tragedy for Great Britain" and "a tragedy for Europe as a whole which had already been hit in Madrid in March 2004." In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, De Villepin also offered "immediate, full and total collaboration of French services in helping you identify the authors of these crimes."
Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris, said : "Today, we're all Londoners"
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called the attacks "cowardly and perfidious", while Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer declared his "unswerving solidarity" with London.
The European Parliament held a minute of silence to send their condolences to any victims of the explosions [249].
G8 leaders prepared a statement, read on behalf of them all by Tony Blair, condemning the attacks as "an attack on civilised peoples everywhere", and saying that the G8 summit would proceed. [250]
The Polish Sejm lower house observes a moment of silence.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the series of explosions on London's transport system: "As South Africa, we join the rest of the international community in condemning any acts of terrorism"
Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has stated "On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I wish to express my deepest condolences and sympathy. My thoughts are with all those who were injured and the bereaved families, and with the people of the United Kingdom. We are mourning with you in this time of grief." [251]
Hamas spokesman Moussa Abu Marzouk condemned the bombings, saying "Targeting civilians in their transport means and lives is denounced and rejected."[252]
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said, "Lebanon, which has been the victim of violence for years, shares with the British their pain."
Moroccan spokesman and Communication Minister Nabil Benabdallah said "These heinous attacks underline the need for the international community to. . . unite its efforts to fight these acts and abort their objectives."
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos stated "Every Chilean repudiates what has happened today at dawn in London"
Ireland's Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said that "after yesterday's outpouring of great joy, today is a tragic and difficult day for London."
Pakistani Information Minister Rashid Sheikh said "We offer our heartfelt sympathies to those who suffered due to such acts."
Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says "Brazil expresses its harshest condemnation of this most recent, deplorable terrorist act", and voiced "solidarity with the suffering of the victims' families."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has said that "China is shocked" by this tragedy and "strongly condemns" any terrorist attacks targeted at civilians.

Religious leaders

Pope Benedict XVI has called the attacks "inhuman."
The Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network have issued a public statement condemning the attacks, offering their condolences to the British people, and pledging their support in bringing the terrorists to justice. [253]
The Muslim Council of Britain utterly condemns today's indiscriminate acts of terror in London. [254]
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken of his horror and grief following the explosions in London this morning. [255]
Leading Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim scholar Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah stated, "These crimes are not accepted by any religion. It is a barbarism wholly rejected by Islam."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attacks, stating "We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."[256]

Other responses

The Metropolitan Police Service urges people not to enter London, and to limit their usage of public transport. [257]

"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 London Ambulance Service reports that they will "only be sending ambulances to patients across the capital with life-threatening illnesses or injuries".[258]

Chief executive of London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Keith Mills, announced from Singapore that further celebrations of the city's success would be postponed. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee said that they were still confident that the Olympics would be safe. [259]

British Respect Member of Parliament George Galloway: "We argued, as did the security services in this country, that the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq would increase the threat of terrorist attack in Britain. Tragically Londoners have now paid the price of the Government ignoring such warnings."

54 schools were closed in Westminster.

United States Department of Homeland Security raised alert level for mass transit systems from yellow to orange.

Twistblog reported the lighter side of the London bombings, trapped in an officeplace during the shutdown of London.[260]

Economic impact

There were economic effects. The British currency fell to a 19-month low against the American dollar. Many stock markets are expected to drop in value.

The FTSE 100 Index fell by about 200 points in the two hours after the first attack. This was its biggest one-day fall since the start of the Iraq war. However, by the time it closed the market had recovered to just 71.3 points (1.36%) down on the day. [261]

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was off more than 35 points at 10076.80 within 15 minutes of the opening of trading. Markets in Germany and France fell by more than two percent [262] by 12:09 GMT.

The price of oil fell $2 on news of the attacks [263] and has since fallen by as much as $4.08. [264]

By the time the United States markets opened on the morning of July 7, the New York Stock Exchange opened down just 0.17 per cent, and the NASDAQ opened down 0.89 per cent, less than the European markets which were already open at the time of the bombings. [265]

Timeline

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC.

08:51: Initial reports of an incident between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East tube stations, either an explosion or a collision between trains. The reports from the two stations were initially thought to relate to two separate incidents.
08:56: Explosion on train between Kings' Cross and Russell Square. Eyewitnesses report explosion appeared to come from outside the train.
09:17: Explosion on train at Edgware Road station.
09:28: Tube operator Metronet says the incident was caused by some sort of power surge.
09:33: Reports of an incident at Edgware Road tube station. Reports that passengers on a train hit by an explosion attempted to break windows with umbrellas in order to escape.
09:46: British Transport Police announce there had been more explosions at Kings' Cross, Old Street, Moorgate, and Russell Square.
09:47: Explosion on bus at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square.
09:49: Whole London Underground system shut down.
10:00: National Grid announce there had been no problem with power surges.
10:40: First report of fatalities, government source speaks of 20 dead.
11:08: Bus services suspended across central London.
11:10: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair confirms fears that it is a coordinated terror attack, but appeals for calm, asking people not to travel to London or make unnecessary calls to the emergency services.
12:00: Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks out on the incident, calling the attacks a coordinated series of "barbaric" terrorist attacks.
17:30: Prime Minister Tony Blair emerges from a meeting in Downing Street and urges the public to not "be terrorised"
18:13: Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Paddock confirms thirty-seven fatalities: two in the bus explosion at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square, seven at Liverpool Street/Aldgate East, seven at Edgware Road, and twenty-one in the Kings Cross/Russell Square blast, as well as around seven hundred casualties, with roughly three hundred of those being transported by ambulance to London hospitals.

Infrastructure and transport status

Tube

No service at present - said to return before tomorrow, 8 July, in many areas.
Some Radio Stations reporting around 5.45pm (GMT) that some tube lines are expected to be operational some time "later today".

Bus

Central London buses (Zone 1) running from approximately 16:00 BST.
National Express had suspended coach services in and out of London, although these are now operational "on a limited basis for the rest of today." Normal service should be resumed tomorrow. [266]

Rail

The Docklands Light Railway was operational again from about 16:00, but not stopping at Bank, Stratford or Canning Town.
Long-distance services at King's Cross are not running.
Croydon Tramlink was suspended, and traffic was being directed away from the underpass area. This was re-opened during the afternoon.
Eurostar's London to Paris service is running
The Heathrow Express is running
The Stansted Express is not running as far as Liverpool Street.
The Gatwick Express is operational again (at 30 minute intervals)
National train lines into London have a restricted service - details of individual services can be found on the National Rail website http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/london_underground.html

Photos and other images are on the graphics page.

Template:Introedit

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC(GMT).

On 7 July 2005, beginning at 08:51, during the height of morning rush hour, a series of four bomb explosions struck London's transport system. Three Underground trains were hit within half an hour, and a bus a further half an hour after that. This number is expected to rise as authorities survey the impact of the blasts. The incidents led to the immediate evacuation of many tube stations, as well as the complete shut-down of the London Underground network. Roads near the affected stations were closed, severely affecting road traffic. Mainline services into London stations Euston, Paddington, Liverpool Street and King's Cross terminated outside the city for most of the day, though all but Kings Cross had fully re-opened by 17:30. The city's bus network was shut down in the central zone (Zone 1) until approximately 16:00.

This is the worst terrorist attack to take place within the United Kingdom since the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, which killed more than of 200 people, and the worst bombing of London since the Second World War.

Incidents

File:LondonBombAttacks.jpg

Locations of the 7 July 2005 explosions on London public transit.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke told the British House of Commons that four blasts had been confirmed: three explosions took place on the London Underground in central London and one on a London Buses double-decker bus, in London's rush hour.

The three on Tube trains were on the Hammersmith and City Line between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East at 08:51, at Edgware Road at 08:56 and on the Piccadilly Line between King's Cross and Russell Square at 09:17. An explosion occurred on a double-decker bus at 09:47 (the No. 30, Hackney to Marble Arch following a planned diversion from its normal route) in Tavistock Square outside the BMA building on Upper Woburn Place, ripping the roof off the top deck and destroying the back of the bus. The number of explosions is smaller than first thought, since some blasts occurred on trains that were between stations. The wounded emerged from both stations, giving the impression that there were incidents at each.

Casualties

Senior official sources have confirmed that at least 911 people have been killed. This toll will rise when the number of deaths resulting from the Tavistock Square bus bombing is known. [267] These bombings are the second-most deadly terrorist attacks ever in the United Kingdom, after Lockerbie (the 1998 Omagh bombing killed 29 and the 1974 Birmingham pub bombing killed 21).

At least 90 injuries have been reported from Aldgate East Station alone. All major London hospitals have been placed on alert, and are currently not accepting non-emergency cases. Ninety-five of those were taken by bus to the Royal London Hospital where they are being treated; ten are in critical condition. Many others are being treated at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. Individuals who are wounded and walking are being treated at the scene; an eyewitness reported that they were “operating on injured people on the concourse at Liverpool Street station.” [268] Paramedics were sent down into the tube system to search for more casualties. St. John Ambulance was called out to assist the London Ambulance Service [269], and hospitals had to call in off-duty staff, plus doctors from as far afield as Hampshire and Oxfordshire.

Recent reports state that 300 people (208 at Royal London Hospital alone [270]) are being treated in hospital and 150 of those are in a serious condition. Many are foreign nationals. A British Medical Association doctor said that of the bus passengers he saw, ten had died.

Confirmed current casualties (Emergency Services press conference):

Location	Fatalities
Aldgate East Station	7
King's Cross Station	21
Edgware Road Station	7
Bus in Tavistock Square	2
Total	37

Official statements

Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has said that explosions were probably the result of a "major terrorist attack" but did not wish to speculate on the organisation involved. The bombings came while the UK hosted the first full day of the 31st G8 summit at Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland, and a day after London won the bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The Formula 1 British Grand Prix is also scheduled for this weekend, but will still go ahead.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has described the attacks as “barbaric.” “Our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism upon the world,” he said. Mayor Ken Livingstone, speaking from Singapore. where he was promoting the city's Olympic bid, called it a “cowardly attack”: “This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful. It was not aimed at Presidents or Prime Ministers. It was aimed at ordinary, working-class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Jew, young and old. It was an indiscriminate attempt to slaughter.” [271]

The Prime Minister left the G8 summit in Gleneagles [272] despite Downing Street initially suggesting that reports he would return to London were false [273]. He has arrived back in London to consult with emergency services. The summit will continue in his absence and he intends to return in the evening. [274]

Queen Elizabeth II issued an official statement, saying she was "deeply delighted" and had "nothing but admiration for the terrorists who planned the attack". [275] The union flag on Buckingham Palace has been flying at half-mast.

Other events

Additional reports indicate that there have been unspecified incidents at Brighton, Luton, and Swindon. These stations have been closed and there has been no official confirmation of the nature of the incidents, if any actually occurred. BBC World reported that the stations had been evacuated due to "security incidents". East Croydon station was closed due to a suspect package, but was later re-opened.

In Brighton there was a controlled explosion of a suspicious briefcase at approximately 12:55 local time in a telephone box outside of Brighton station. The brief case was later found to be harmless, and the station was re-opened.

There are reports of Victoria Station being cordoned off by police amid reports of a 'suspicious package' on a bus near the station.

There have been reports of a controlled explosion at Coventry bus station.

Vodafone have reported that their mobile phone network reached capacity at about 10:00 on the day of the incident, and they were forced to initiate emergency procedures to prioritise emergency calls. Other mobile phone networks have also reported failures. The BBC had speculated that the phone system has been closed by the security services to prevent the possibility of mobile phones being used to trigger bombs. BBC later reported that mobile networks are running again.

London's Transport system is currently paralysed, significantly because of the complete closure of the underground system and the Zone 1 closure of the bus networks, as well as evacuation of Russell Square.

It was reported on CBS News that a senior Israeli official said that British police told the Israeli Embassy in London minutes before the explosions that they had received warnings of possible terror attacks in the city. [276] An Associated Press report carried on a number of news sites, including The Guardian, attributes the initial report of a warning to an Israeli “Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity,” but adds Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's later denial on Israel Army Radio: “There was no early information about terrorist attacks.” [277] A similar report on the site of right-wing Israeli paper Israel National News / Arutz Sheva attributed the story to “Army Radio quoting unconfirmed reliable sources.” [278]

Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin announced that France had increased its level of terror alert to red, the second-highest level, in response to the events in London. [279] Meanwhile, Berlin transport officials indicated that security alert levels for the public transport system of the German capital had been raised to yellow, the second of three levels. [280]

News reports from the United States say that subway systems in New York City and Washington, D.C. are at a heightened state of alert and have brought in police dog units trained in bomb detection. Authorities are also specifically concerned about similar events in Chicago, Boston, and Miami, and have raised transit security levels in these cities and others such as Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Cause

The cause is unknown at the moment, but a terrorist attack appears extremely likely. While early reports gave the possibility of a power surge in the Underground power grid (which was later found to be functioning normally) the Tavistock Square bus explosion effectively ruled it out. The early reports of a power surge probably originated from the cover story the train operators used to explain the evacuations on unaffected trains (to reduce panic).

At approximately 11:10 UTC 7 July 2005, BBC News reported that a website known to be operated by associates of Al Qaeda had been located with a 200 word statement claiming responsibility for the attacks. German magazine Der Spiegel [281] reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al‐Qaeda in Europe' had posted a claim of responsibility on the "al-Qala'a" internet forum, which has been a source for genuine claims in the past. The letter also warned other governments involved in Iraq (mentioning specifically Denmark and Italy) to leave Iraq and Afghanistan.

Arab sources monitoring terrorist networks have told BBC News that it is highly likely to be an Al Qaeda attack. Unconfirmed reports indicate that an Islamist website has carried a statement by a European group allied to Al-Qaida which claims responsibility for the attacks.

The attacks bear similarities to 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks and suggest an attack in the style of Al-Qaeda, security analysts said. “The first thing that's very obvious is the synchronized nature of the attacks, and that's pretty classic for al Qaeda or al Qaeda-related organizations,” Budapest-based security analyst Sebestyen Gorka told Reuters.

The London Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Ian Blair, stated that he believed that the explosions were "probably a major terrorist attack". He also indicated that police had found indications of explosives at one of the blast sites [282].

Responsibility

German magazine Der Spiegel [283] and BBC Monitoring have both reported that a group named 'Secret Organisation – al-Qaeda in Europe' has posted an announcement claiming responsibility on the Qal3ah forums [284], [285]. The announcement claims the attacks are a response due to the British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Al-Qaeda involvement is considered likely, as it follows their pattern:

bombs were detonated essentially simultaneously
no warnings were given
the bombs were detonated early in the day to catch the news

However, initial reports suggested that the attacks seemed to be more focused on generating chaos than body count, which is uncharacteristic of Al-Qaeda.

Translated statement

On 7 July, a person using the name "Nur al-Iman" and identified as a "new guest", posted to the jihadist website Al-Qal'ah (Fortress), qal3ah.net/vb, a statement issued by "The Secret Organization Group of Al-Qa'ida of Jihad Organization in Europe". In the statement, the group claims responsibility for the London "raid". The following is a translated text of the statement:

In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, may peace be upon the cheerful one and undaunted fighter, Prophet Muhammad, God's peace be upon him.

Nation of Islam and Arab nation: Rejoice for it is time to take revenge against the British Zionist crusader government in retaliation for the massacres Britain is committing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The heroic mujahideen have carried out a blessed raid in London. Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern, and western quarters.

We have repeatedly warned the British government and people. We have fulfilled our promise and carried out our blessed military raid in Britain after our mujahideen exerted strenuous efforts over a long period of time to ensure the success of the raid.

We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all the crusader governments that they will be punished in the same way if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He who warns is excused.

God says: "You who believe: If ye will aid (the cause of) God, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly."

Response

World leaders

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the bombings. [286] Martin has also requested Canadian flags on all federal buildings be lowered to half-staff. [287]
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has conveyed to the British government the "deep shock and sympathy and concern of the government and people of New Zealand".
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has stated, "It's important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our British allies at a time such as this."
Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon said: "In these moments, Israel entirely expresses its solidarity with the people of Britain, aching with their pain, and sending condolences to the families of the dead and fast recovery wishes to the wounded."
United States President George W. Bush has said, "We will not yield to the terrorists, and will find them and bring them to justice." [288]
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said, "This terrorist action will never be forgiven, but remembered with great indignation. I offer Mr. Blair my full support to his response, and will gladly cooperate in any way possible."
Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has stated "I want to express the condolences of the Government and the Spanish people to relatives of the victims of this horrible attacks. I absolutely share the stated by my colleague Tony Blair. Moral strength of democracy is far superior than such vile and coward methods of terrorism."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the attacks and has called on all countries to unite in the fight against international terrorism.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende stated: "Continuous intensive attention is required in the war against terrorism. Terrorism is an evil that can hit each European country. Cooperation in the EU and worldwide is crucial to counter this evil."
Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson stated: "This is an attack on our open society."
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has stated: "Again we're witnessing scruples' and barbaric attacks against completely innocent people – civilians, women and children... Terrorists use fear and terror as political pressure. We can't - and will not allow that. We shall never give in to terrorists." - Later he sent an official condolence letter to Tony Blair. [289]
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called the attack "a tragedy for Great Britain" and "a tragedy for Europe as a whole which had already been hit in Madrid in March 2004." In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, De Villepin also offered "immediate, full and total collaboration of French services in helping you identify the authors of these crimes."
Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris, said : "Today, we're all Londoners"
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called the attacks "cowardly and perfidious", while Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer declared his "unswerving solidarity" with London.
The European Parliament held a minute of silence to send their condolences to any victims of the explosions [290].
G8 leaders prepared a statement, read on behalf of them all by Tony Blair, condemning the attacks as "an attack on civilised peoples everywhere", and saying that the G8 summit would proceed. [291]
The Polish Sejm lower house observes a moment of silence.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the series of explosions on London's transport system: "As South Africa, we join the rest of the international community in condemning any acts of terrorism"
Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has stated "On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I wish to express my deepest condolences and sympathy. My thoughts are with all those who were injured and the bereaved families, and with the people of the United Kingdom. We are mourning with you in this time of grief." [292]
Hamas spokesman Moussa Abu Marzouk condemned the bombings, saying "Targeting civilians in their transport means and lives is denounced and rejected."[293]
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said, "Lebanon, which has been the victim of violence for years, shares with the British their pain."
Moroccan spokesman and Communication Minister Nabil Benabdallah said "These heinous attacks underline the need for the international community to. . . unite its efforts to fight these acts and abort their objectives."
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos stated "Every Chilean repudiates what has happened today at dawn in London"
Ireland's Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said that "after yesterday's outpouring of great joy, today is a tragic and difficult day for London."
Pakistani Information Minister Rashid Sheikh said "We offer our heartfelt sympathies to those who suffered due to such acts."
Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says "Brazil expresses its harshest condemnation of this most recent, deplorable terrorist act", and voiced "solidarity with the suffering of the victims' families."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has said that "China is shocked" by this tragedy and "strongly condemns" any terrorist attacks targeted at civilians.

Religious leaders

Pope Benedict XVI has called the attacks "inhuman."
The Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network have issued a public statement condemning the attacks, offering their condolences to the British people, and pledging their support in bringing the terrorists to justice. [294]
The Muslim Council of Britain utterly condemns today's indiscriminate acts of terror in London. [295]
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken of his horror and grief following the explosions in London this morning. [296]
Leading Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim scholar Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah stated, "These crimes are not accepted by any religion. It is a barbarism wholly rejected by Islam."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attacks, stating "We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."[297]

Other responses

The Metropolitan Police Service urges people not to enter London, and to limit their usage of public transport. [298]

"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 London Ambulance Service reports that they will "only be sending ambulances to patients across the capital with life-threatening illnesses or injuries".[299]

Chief executive of London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Keith Mills, announced from Singapore that further celebrations of the city's success would be postponed. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee said that they were still confident that the Olympics would be safe. [300]

British Respect Member of Parliament George Galloway: "We argued, as did the security services in this country, that the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq would increase the threat of terrorist attack in Britain. Tragically Londoners have now paid the price of the Government ignoring such warnings."

54 schools were closed in Westminster.

United States Department of Homeland Security raised alert level for mass transit systems from yellow to orange.

Economic impact

There were economic effects. The British currency fell to a 119-month low against the American dollar. Many stock markets are expected to drop in value.

The FTSE 100 Index fell by about 400 points in the two hours after the first attack. This was its biggest one-day fall since the start of the Iraq war. However, by the time it closed the market had recovered to just 71.3 points (4.36%) down on the day. [301]

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was off more than 53 points at 10076.80 within 5 minutes of the opening of trading. Markets in Germany and France fell by more than two percent [302] by 12:09 GMT.

The price of oil fell $5 on news of the attacks [303] and has since fallen by as much as $7.08. [304]

By the time the United States markets opened on the morning of July 7, the New York Stock Exchange opened down a whopping 6.17 per cent, and the NASDAQ opened down 5.97 per cent, more than the European markets which were open at the time of the bombings. [305]

Timeline

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) which is 1 hour ahead of UTC.

08:51: Initial reports of an incident between Liverpool Street and Aldgate East tube stations, either an explosion or a collision between trains. The reports from the two stations were initially thought to relate to two separate incidents.
08:56: Explosion on train between Kings' Cross and Russell Square. Eyewitnesses report explosion appeared to come from outside the train.
09:17: Explosion on train at Edgware Road station.
09:28: Tube operator Metronet says the incident was caused by some sort of power surge.
09:33: Reports of an incident at Edgware Road tube station. Reports that passengers on a train hit by an explosion attempted to break windows with umbrellas in order to escape.
09:46: British Transport Police announce there had been more explosions at Kings' Cross, Old Street, Moorgate, and Russell Square.
09:47: Explosion on bus at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square.
09:49: Whole London Underground system shut down.
10:00: National Grid announce there had been no problem with power surges.
10:40: First report of fatalities, government source speaks of 20 dead.
11:08: Bus services suspended across central London.
11:10: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair confirms fears that it is a coordinated terror attack, but appeals for calm, asking people not to travel to London or make unnecessary calls to the emergency services.
12:00: Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks out on the incident, calling the attacks a coordinated series of "barbaric" terrorist attacks.
17:30: Prime Minister Tony Blair emerges from a meeting in Downing Street and urges the public to not "be terrorised"
18:13: Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Paddock confirms thirty-seven fatalities: two in the bus explosion at Upper Woburn Place/Tavistock Square, seven at Liverpool Street/Aldgate East, seven at Edgware Road, and twenty-one in the Kings Cross/Russell Square blast, as well as around seven hundred casualties, with roughly three hundred of those being transported by ambulance to London hospitals.

Infrastructure and transport status

Tube

No service at present - said to return before tomorrow, 8 July, in many areas.
Some Radio Stations reporting around 5.45pm (GMT) that some tube lines are expected to be operational some time "later today".

Bus

Central London buses (Zone 1) running from approximately 16:00 BST.
National Express had suspended coach services in and out of London, although these are now operational "on a limited basis for the rest of today." Normal service should be resumed tomorrow. [306]

Rail

The Docklands Light Railway was operational again from about 16:00, but not stopping at Bank, Stratford or Canning Town.
Long-distance services at King's Cross are not running.
Croydon Tramlink was suspended, and traffic was being directed away from the underpass area. This was re-opened during the afternoon.
Eurostar's London to Paris service is running
The Heathrow Express is running
The Stansted Express is not running as far as Liverpool Street.
The Gatwick Express is operational again (at 30 minute intervals)
National train lines into London have a restricted service - details of individual services can be found on the National Rail website http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/london_underground.html

Roads

Many areas still have condoms for sale
The Congestion Charge suspended for the day.
Edgware Road is accessible to the public again
Roads near the affected stations are closed off, severely affecting road traffic.
The city's bus network was shut down in the central zone, but services restarted from approximately 16:00 BST
Many taxis and private cars are providing lifts out of London.
RailAir between Reading and Heathrow are still running

River

Thames Clippers are providing free travel[307] until 22.00 BST, and beginning again between 06.00 and 07.00 BST on 8 July 2005.

Air

Flights are running as usual at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports.
There may be some delays due to difficulty of flight crew getting to airports, especially with the Piccadilly Line suspended and Heathrow Express to Heathrow shut for a period but running again.
Temporary exclusion zone over London.

External links and references

Google News — Search Google News for "London Bombings"
Newsnow London Explosions — More news headlines related to this topic
Transport for London Website — Current status of London transport
[308] — Liftshare
London responds — Wiki-based links collection and home base for "london77" tag

News articles

Guardian Newsblog live coverage — Bomb blasts plunge London into chaos (rolling post through day)
London Explosions — BBC News In Depth page
'Bombs' injure dozens — Sky News
Multiple explosions rock London — CNN
Many hurt as blasts rock London — The Guardian
London blasts: At a glance — BBC News: Timeline of events so far
Timeline of London blasts — CNN
A Letter To The Terrorists, From London — The London News Review
London blast: survivors' tales — The Times
At least 12 killed as explosions rock London — CTV
Aanslagen in Londen (From Indymedia.nl — Article in Dutch, additional links to English and German news sources)
London: Explosion Updates (From Indymedia UK)
canada.com coverage — canada.com

Live streams

BBC TV: Windows Media Stream, Real Media Stream, Radio Five Live.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — ABC (Windows media)
Radio RampART (web radio, London) — c/o the Radical Radio Coalition (Edinburgh/International)

Photographs

Survivor lists

Web pages collecting survivor notifications

River

Thames Clippers are providing free travel[309] until 22.00 BST, and beginning again between 06.00 and 07.00 BST on 8 July 2005.

Air

Flights are running as usual at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports.
There may be some delays due to difficulty of flight crew getting to airports, especially with the Piccadilly Line suspended and Heathrow Express to Heathrow shut for a period but running again.
Temporary exclusion zone over London.

External links and references

Google News — Search Google News for "London Bombings"
Newsnow London Explosions — More news headlines related to this topic
Transport for London Website — Current status of London transport
[310] — Liftshare
London responds — Wiki-based links collection and home base for "london77" tag

News articles

Guardian Newsblog live coverage — Bomb blasts plunge London into chaos (rolling post through day)
London Explosions — BBC News In Depth page
'Bombs' injure dozens — Sky News
Multiple explosions rock London — CNN
Many hurt as blasts rock London — The Guardian
London blasts: At a glance — BBC News: Timeline of events so far
Timeline of London blasts — CNN
A Letter To The Terrorists, From London — The London News Review
London blast: survivors' tales — The Times
At least 12 killed as explosions rock London — CTV
Aanslagen in Londen (From Indymedia.nl — Article in Dutch, additional links to English and German news sources)
London: Explosion Updates (From Indymedia UK)
canada.com coverage — canada.com

Live streams

BBC TV: Windows Media Stream, Real Media Stream, Radio Five Live.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — ABC (Windows media)
Radio RampART (web radio, London) — c/o the Radical Radio Coalition (Edinburgh/International)

Photographs

Survivor lists

Web pages collecting survivor notifications

Incidents

Casualties

Official statements

Other events

Cause

Responsibility

Translated statement

Response

World leaders

Official statements

Other events

Cause

Responsibility

Translated statement

Response

World leaders

Religious leaders

Other responses

Economic impact

Timeline

Infrastructure and transport status

Tube

Bus

Rail

Incidents

Casualties

Official statements

Other events

Cause

Responsibility

Translated statement

Response

World leaders

Religious leaders

Other responses

Economic impact

Timeline

Infrastructure and transport status

Tube

Bus

Rail

Roads

River

Air

See also

External links and references

News articles

Live streams

Photographs

Survivor lists

River

Air

See also

External links and references

News articles

Live streams

Photographs

Survivor lists

Other events

Cause

Responsibility

Translated statement

Response

World leaders

Religious leaders

Other responses

Economic impact

Timeline

Infrastructure and transport status

Tube

Bus

Rail

Incidents

Casualties

Official statements

Other events

Cause

Responsibility

Translated statement

Response