London official death toll: 33
2005-07-08 14:44
London - At least 33 people were killed in a series of four separate explosions in London early on Thursday, the city's deputy police chief Brian Paddick said.
Seven were killed in a first explosion in an underground railway tunnel near Moorgate on the edge of London's financial district, 21 in a second near King's Cross and another five at Edgware Road station in west London.
A senior police official said it was unclear whether suicide bombers were involved in the deadly explosions.
An unknown number of people also died in a blast on a bus, Paddick said.
Reports indicate that up to 1 000 people have been injured.
A shaken British Prime Minister Tony Blair, hosting the G8 leaders in Scotland, declared London had suffered "a series of terrorist attacks" and called it "barbaric."
"There are people who have died and people who are injured," he said, adding that it was clear the attacks had been carried out to coincide with the summit.
Officials shut down the entire bus and underground transport network. The attacks came a day after London was awarded the 2012 Olympics.
"There have been a number of dreadful incidents across London today," said Home Secretary Charles Clarke, Britain's top law enforcement officer. He said there were "terrible injuries."
Speaking at the House of Commons, he confirmed four explosions had struck London - three on the subway system and one on the bus in Russell Square. - AP/AFP
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Affected tube stations. (London Underground)
- News24