London blasts: First fatalities
2005-07-08 14:20
London - Police said they believed at least two people had been killed and 150 injured in a series of explosions which rocked central London buses and stations on Thursday.
A police spokesperson said there had been reports that at least two people had been killed in the incidents particularly in a bus blast in the heart of the British capital.
"We have at least two fatalities, but still unconfirmed, and many serious injuries," the spokesperson told AFP.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said the picture was still "very confused" as ambulances rushed to a stricken bus in central Russell Square just minutes after a blast on the underground train system.
The roof of the double decker bus was torn off by the force of the blast, but police were unable to confirm whether or not it had been caused by a bomb.
"The explosion seemed to be at the back of the bus. The roof flew off and went up about 10 metres. It then floated back down," said witness Raj Mattoo.
"I shouted at the passengers to get off the bus. They went into Tavistock Park nearby," he said.
"There were obviously people badly injured. A parking attendant said he thought a piece of human flesh had landed on his arm."
Receptionist at the Tavistock Hotel Sam Elliott said: "People were running in, some obviously injured.
"One man was being carried by other passengers. We just did not know what had happened."
Transport officials said all London bus services had been suspended.
Union sources, meanwhile, said they had received reports of explosions on a total of three buses in central London.
Affected tube stations. (London Underground)
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