Bus bomb toll climbs to 13

2005-07-08 17:00

London - Thirteen people died in a terrorist explosion on a double-decker bus on Thursday, London's police chief said on Friday.

Sir Ian Blair, commissioner of Metropolitan Police, earlier had said that the death toll in Thursday's four bombings was in excess of 50.

He added that police have been unable to recover all the bodies from one subway train that was hit deep in a tunnel.

Around the world

The terrorist bombings in London have injured people from around the world, with victims' countries of origin including China, Australia, Portugal, Poland and Sierra Leone, police said on Friday. - AFP

Commuters

Meanwhile, London commuters ventured warily back onto the capital's buses and subways on Friday morning, but traffic appeared to be lighter than normal and many appeared to be staying home the day after bombers hit the transportation network.

Much of the London Underground was running again but there seemed fewer riders than usual on some trains. Some double-decker buses carried just a handful of people, and many Tube stations and roads were almost empty.

But in a sprawling city where taxis are prohibitively expensive, some said they had little choice but to get right back on the public transportation network.

"I was scared, but what can you do?" said Raj Varatharaj, 32, emerging from one Underground station. "This is the fastest way for me to get to work. You just have to carry on."

Increased numbers

London police said they would increase police numbers on the British capital's streets on Friday.

The Metropolitan Police said the measure was not in response to a specific identified threat.

The Met said in a statement it was continuing to coordinate the emergency service response to Thursday's four blasts on London transport.

"We are encouraging the public to remain vigilant and to report any unattended items or suspicious activity to transport staff or the police," the statement said. - AFP

- AP