Series of EmergencyNet News "Real-time" Reports Concerning Bombings and Attempted Bombings in London, England -- 07 July and 21 July 2005 to present

27 July 2005

'Six Further Terror Cells are Poised to Strike'
 From: news.scotsman.com
 
 Key points
 
 • Al-Qaeda experts have warned that there may be six terrorist cells in Britain
 • Each cell could have the capacity to manufacture its own explosives
 • Transport Police suggest attacks might not be limited to London
 
 Key quote:
 
 "It is plainly the case that the group in the 7 July attacks simply didn't appear on the MI5 radar screens. Their assessment of the security situation before the attacks showed a surprising degree of optimism." -- Prof. Paul Wilkinson, St. Andrews University
 
 As many as six more terrorist cells may be preparing to launch bombing attacks in Britain, with each unaware of the existence of the others, two of the world's most respected al-Qaeda experts warned yesterday.
 
 The warnings came as police continued to search desperately for the five-man gang behind the failed 21 July bombings and the breakthrough that would lead them to the mastermind coordinating the attacks.  Read more about it...click here for: http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1686912005

24 Jul 2005

London Police Apologize for Shooting Innocent Man
 
 LONDON, ENGLAND: The killing of a 27-year-old Brazilian, Jean Charles de Menezes, has become an international incident, and has set back police efforts to reach out to disaffected British Muslims. Police shot and killed Mr. Menezes on a subway train Friday during a manhunt for four suspects in the attempted bombing of three subway cars and a bus one day earlier.
 
 Witnesses say Mr. Menezes was wearing an unseasonably heavy coat, and was running away from plainclothes police officers moments before he was fatally shot. Police sources say officers feared he had explosives hidden under the coat.
 
 On Sunday, London Police Commissioner, Ian Blair, offered an apology during interview with Sky News. "The Metropolitan Police accepts the full responsibility for this. And to the family, I can only express our deep regrets," he said. "But I think it is also important to recognize that the underlying causes of this are not a police action or a police policy or procedures, but actually the fact that we have terrorists using suicide as a weapon on the streets of London and below the streets of London and that is the context in which we are operating."
 
 Mr. Menezes's body was identified by his cousin, Alex Pereira, who is in no mood to accept regrets from the police. "He had nothing to hide from anyone and I tell you, it is incompetence, it could be you, it could be anyone," said Mr. Pereira.
 
 The revelation that London police have shoot-to-kill orders for suspected suicide bombers has angered some segments of Britain's Muslim community, particularly younger Muslims, who have been under scrutiny since July 7, when four young British Muslim suicide bombers killed 52 people in attacks on London's transport network.
 
 But other Muslim community leaders say they understand the pressure police are under, as explained by the founder of London's Muslim College, Zaki Badawi.  "I sympathize with the police. These are exceptional circumstances, and what happened to the Brazilian is regrettable, but understandable in the circumstances," he said.
 
 In another development, police are investigating links between the July 7 bombers and the four men who are still at large after Thursday's failed bombing attempts. Operators of a white-water rafting company in Wales say two men from each group recently participated together in a river trip there.  -- Source: VOANews at: http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-07-24-voa11.cfm

22 July 2005 - 15:00 London time

Police Operation on Harrow Street in London

 W. LONDON, ENGLAND: According to eyewitnesses and emergency service sources, a police operation is presently underway on Harrow Road in Paddington. Witnesses have reportedly seen armed officers and what they describe as a "bomb robot." Residents of the area have been advised to remain in their residences. Few other official details are currently available, though it is known that Scotland Yard and other specialist police units are engaged in a all out effort to attempt to apprehend or terminate the terrorists who undertook yesterday's attempted bombings in London. EmergencyNet News will bring you additional details if/when they emerge...

22 July 2005 - Noon, London time

Terrorism Suspect Shot and Killed by Special Police Squad

LONDON, ENGLAND: According to BBC, SkyNews, and emergency service sources in England, police have shot and killed a suspected suicide bomber at a Underground station in south London.  Armed officers reportedly opened fire on the suspect after he hurdled a ticket barrier and raced along a platform at Stockwell station.  Stockwell station is nearby to the Oval station, which was the scene of one of the incidents yesterday.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We can confirm that just after 10:00hrs. (local) armed officers shot a male at Stockwell Underground station.  "A man was challenged by officers and subsequently shot. London Ambulance Service attended the scene. He was pronounced dead at the scene." Police are believed to be under orders to shoot to kill if they believe someone is about to detonate a bomb. The suspect, described by witnesses as being of "Asian (Pakistani?) nationality," was said to be wearing a heavy coat in the middle of Summer. 

Subway services on Victoria and Northern lines have been suspended following a request by the police, the London Underground said.  EmergencyNet News will continue to monitor events in London and we will bring you additional details as circumstances warrant...

21 July 2005 - 16:00CDT

Preliminary Analysis By ERRI

LONDON, ENGLAND:  A very preliminary analysis of the attempted terror attacks in London would seem to indicate that either the connection between the detonators and the main charges was defective, or the explosives themselves were "ineffective," ERRI spokesman Clark Staten said this afternoon.  

"It is believed that some materials that were recovered at the scene of one or more of today's incidents may provide forensics experts with a great deal of information about the improvised devices," Staten added.  "Although many more facts are yet to be gathered, speculation would suggest that the IED's (Improvised Explosive Devices) did not function as was intended by the perpetrators," the veteran counter-terrorism analyst continued.

The attempted bombings in London were "designed to kill people," the head of the Metropolitan Police told the BBC.  But, Sir Ian Blair said evidence left at the scenes could be very helpful to police and added "the intention of the terrorists has failed."  EmergencyNet News is monitoring events in London very closely and will bring you additional updates as the circumstances warrant....

15:00 UK time - 21 July 2005

Blair Calls for Calm Following New Subway Explosions

 LONDON, ENGLAND: British leader calls explosions an attempt to frighten Londoners, urged citizens to return to business as normal

Tony Blair stands outside his office on Downing Street, Thursday British Prime Minister Tony Blair is calling for calm following explosions at three London subway stations and a city bus earlier Thursday.

The British leader called the explosions an attempt to frighten Londoners and urged citizens to return to business as normal.

London's police commissioner Ian Blair called the incidents very serious but said there were very few injuries and the bombs were much smaller than the explosions which occurred two weeks ago in London. He urged Londoners to remain where they are while authorities investigate.

Police officer used "sniffer" (bomb) dogs as rescue personnel gathered at Warren Street Underground station in central London on Thursday. Service was suspended on at least three subway lines.

Armed police also entered a hospital near one of the incidents cordoning off the building.

The noontime explosions come exactly two weeks after a series of blasts on subway trains and a city bus killed at least 56 people.  Some information for this report provided by AP.  -- Source for above: http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-07-21-voa13.cfm

Additional reference: "London Police Investigate Four Small Explosions on Transport Grid," can be found at: http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-07-21-voa54.cfm

14:45 UK - 21 July 2005

Few, if Any, Injuries Reported in London Incidents

 LONDON: A number of Tube stations have been evacuated and lines closed after three blasts in what Met Police chief Sir Ian Blair says is a "serious incident." Sir Ian appealed to Londoners to stay where they were and said the transport system was effectively shut down.  Sir Ian called the incidents "attempted explosions" in an interview with SkyNews. 

It is presently not clear if alleged explosive devices involved in the incidents at three tube stations were "defective," or if they were some sort of "hoax devices" that only contained a detonator, and were designed to amplify fear among the London citizens. Or, the explosives themselves could have been ineffective. Further examination and forensic analysis of the devices will undoubtedly provide additional information that is necessary to further the investigation.

Very little has been confirmed about the various "situations" at the time of this update...and top British officials are reportedly meeting at "Cobra" in regard to the overall situation in London. PM Tony Blair is expected to give a press conference later this morning....

*FLASH* EmergencyNet News Report
 
 13:26 UK -- 21 July 2005
 
 INCIDENTS REPORTED NEAR TUBE STATIONS
 
 From ERRI Global Watchdesk
 
 LONDON, ENGLAND: A series of unusual "incidents" have been reported near Warren Street, Oval and Shepherd's Bush stations on the London Underground.
 
 Smoke was seen coming from one train. There is a good deal of confusion at this time about the actual type of incidents that have occurred.
 
 Multiple emergency service units have been dispatched to multiple situations. There are no immediate reports of injuries at any of the incidents....

12 July 2005  -- 22:00CDT

British Police Searching For Possible Bombers

U.K.: Largely unconfirmed, but believed reliable reports suggest a dramatic increase in police activity at several locations in England today.  Included are a raid in Leeds, N. England, where a controlled explosion is said to have taken place. Other police activity is also reported near the Luton train station.  And finally, a number of counter-terrorism raids have taken place or are taking place at the time of this report at undisclosed locations in London.

Reports from SkyNews in England say that a suspected bomber of the London bus attack has been identified as among the 13 who died, according to police sources.
Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt said it was still not clear if the man had been a suicide/homicide bomber.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said the on-going raids were "directly connected" to last Thursday's atrocity.  He said it was "likely" there would be another attack but insisted the terrorist threat "could be defeated." The operations today are thought to be part of the police response to accomplish that objective.

A Scotland Yard Press Conference is expected shortly...check your local listings.

11 July 2005

Appeal for images

LONDON, ENGLAND: Metropolitan police detectives have issued an urgent appeal for any photographs, video footage or mobile phone images that were taken on the morning of Thursday 7 July, either in or close to the areas where four bombs exploded.

Police believe that these images could contain vital information and provide a crucial piece of the investigative jigsaw.  This material should be e-mailed to:
images@met.police.uk

It is important that people include their name and telephone contact details on the email. Police stress that this information will remain confidential.

If you have any information about the 07/07 terrorist attacks, please call:

The Anti-Terrorist Hotline. Call in confidence - 0800 789 321  (Inside Britian)

If you are calling from outside the UK the number you should dial is +44 20 7158 0010

Quote of the Day:

"To win this war, we must defeat the ideology of terrorism, depriving angry young people of their ability to justify their hateful actions in the name of Allah.  This will require not only strong Islamic condemnation of terrorists and their acts, but also a winning dialogue within Islam to defeat Koranic interpretations seeking to justify the use of force against innocent people. We need to encourage “moderates” in Islam to debate, to proselytize and to win over potential terrorists. They are the only ones who can do it."  -- General Wesley K. Clark, USAToday, July 11, 2005

09 July 2005

British Police Say London Blasts Were Almost Simultaneous

Officials say examination of new technical data has led them to revise earlier belief that attacks were spread over nearly a half hour

Flowers are placed at entrance of King's Cross Underground Station which was hit by explosion, Thursday

London police say three of the bombs that killed 49 people and wounded hundreds more were detonated on subway carriages within one minute of each other, indicating they may have been set off by timing devices, and not suicide bombers.

Police say the latest evidence points to a closely coordinated attack by the bombers on London's subway system.

Deputy Assistant Police Commander Brian Paddock told a news conference a review of data reveals the bombs on three subway trains exploded within seconds of each other, rather than over the course of 26 minutes, as originally believed.

Mr. Paddock indicated the timing could mean the bombers escaped, and are still at large.

"Either you have people with the explosive devices, who have synchronized watches or whatever, and they have all simultaneously detonated their devices at the same time, or it could be that these devices have been triggered by timing devices," he explained. "Bearing in mind these were almost simultaneous, we think within 50 seconds of each other, maybe that lends more towards timing devices, more than people with the bombs manually detonating."

Remnants of bus that exploded in Tavistock Square, in central London, Thursday Police are also investigating a fourth blast that ripped through a double-decker bus about an hour after the subway attacks.

In other developments, police said crews have not yet retrieved all the bodies from a subway carriage trapped deep underground on the Piccadilly Line, between the King's Cross and Russell Square stations.

Police say the work could last for days, because of the difficult conditions, including heat, dust and concern the tunnel might collapse.

As the recovery work goes on, attention has turned to people still missing and feared dead. Friends and relatives of missing persons have made desperate appeals for information in newspapers and on broadcast outlets.

Authorities suspect Islamic militants linked to or inspired by al-Qaida could have carried out the bombings. Two obscure groups have claimed responsibility in the name of al-Qaida.

Britain's mainstream Muslim organizations have denounced the attacks, and, despite fears of backlash, authorities say there have been no serious incidents of retaliation against British Muslims.  Source: VOANews at: http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-07-09-voa13.cfm

Mass Trauma
Blast Lung Injury - Report From CDC

Blast lung injury (BLI) presents unique triage, diagnostic, and management challenges and is a direct consequence of the blast wave from high explosive detonations upon the body...Current patterns in worldwide terrorist activity have increased the potential for casualties related to explosions, yet few civilian health care providers in the United States have experience treating patients with explosion-related injuries. To learn more: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masstrauma/blastlunginjury.asp

Download PDF version formatted for print (158 KB/7 pages)
HYPERLINK " http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masstrauma/pdf/blastlunginjury.pdf "

Reference: Yesterday's ESR9-187 report on Blast Injuries

03:00CDT - 08 July 2005

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"The bombings in London show that the Western democracies can not retreat, can not capitulate, can not negotiate with murderers, and can not show the fear that the terrorist desire so strongly to generate. We must demonstrate a steely and unqualified resolve to defeat the religious charlatans who would try to pervert the honorable religion of Islam to suit their political and ideological goals.  To do less, or display any weakness will undoubtedly result in further disaster...something that can not be allowed to happen."  -- C. L. Staten, CEO and Counter-Terrorism Analyst, Emergency Response & Research Institute

07 July 2005

Alleged (unconfirmed) Statement Claiming Responsibility For the Blasts in London:

"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) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly."

Alleged source: "Secret Organisation Group of al-Qaeda of Jihad Organisation in Europe." (A previously unknown and possibly fictitious group) 

This statement has appeared at several locations, including a website that has previously published statements from Al-Qaeda.  This statement and its source have not been verified by either U.S. or British authorities.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Press Release
July 7, 2005 

Statement by Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff ON THE BOMBINGS IN LONDON

WASHINGTON: "We have been closely monitoring the bombings in London. Our sympathies and condolences go to the victims of this incident and the people of London. 

We have been in direct communication with officials at the state and local level and with public and private sector transportation officials.  We have asked them for increased vigilance and additional security measures for major transit systems.

The Department of Homeland Security has stood up the Interagency Incident Management Group to ensure full situational awareness around this incident and in the United States.  We do not have any specific intelligence indicating this type of attack is planned in the United States, but we are constantly evaluating both intelligence and our protective measures and will take whatever actions are necessary.

We will continue to work closely with British officials as they investigate this incident."

From ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT, Thursday, July 7, 2005,
Vol. 11, No. 186, at 09:48CST

London Terror – Buses and Trains Bombed; Many Casualties

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Six bombs detonated in London today leaving at least two people dead and up to 90 injured, according to the British Government. The attacks were focused on the London subways and bus system.

The first explosion was reported at 8.49am and the final one was reported at around 10.25am. Three buses and three trains had been damaged or destroyed.

Police have confirmed that traces of explosives were found at the scene.

One witness told the BBC she had seen somebody “blow up” at the back of a Double Decker bus, suggesting the attacks were the work of suicide bombers. This has not yet been confirmed by authorities.

A group calling itself the “Secret Organization group of al-Qaeda of Jihad in Europe” has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

More details about the attacks will be sent to EmergencyNet News subscribers and clients in a special report by ERRI later today.

07 July 2005  - 09:30 London Time

EmergencyNet News *FLASH* Report

Multiple Explosion Strike Transportation System in London

LONDON, ENGLAND: According to as yet preliminary reports, it appears that as many as six separate explosions have been reported at various locations in London. At least one of explosions involved a double-decker bus often used by tourists. Other explosions may have taken place at various locations on the underground subway system. Exact locations and casualty tolls are still coming in to the EmergencyNet News Global Watch desk, but it would appear that most of them were major transit stations. The locations mentioned in early reports were at Aldgate East, Edgware Rd, Kings Cross, Moorgate, Russell Square tube stations. A blast also occurred on bus at Tavistock Square.

The cause of the blasts is presently not known, as investigations continue. Prime Minister Tony Blair is calling the explosions a "series of terrorist attacks." Sir Ian Blair said there had been "many casualties" but said it was too early to put a figure to those killed or injured and he reassured the public that an emergency plan was in place and the situation was "steadily coming under control".

EmergencyNet News will bring you additional information as soon as deetails can be confirmed.

ERRI previous references:

Sunday, May 01, 2005, Vol. 11, No. 121, "Terrorist Threats on U.S. at Lowest Level Since 9/11?"  can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/2005/ter-threat-low_may05.htm

17 Feb 2005 -- "Evidence of Continued Plots Against Europe Comes to Light," can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/cntrter5.htm

22 March 2004 -- "Surrendering to Terror; Understanding Our Current Situation," can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/2004/madrid_oped04.htm

11 March 2004 -- "Series of "Real-Time" Reports Concerning Multiple Train Bombings Madrid, Spain," can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/2004/Madrid_bmb031104.htm

"Saturday, February 28, 1998 Vol. 4 - 059: D.O.T. REPORT SAYS U.S. TRANSIT SYSTEMS VULNERABLE TO TERRORIST THREAT" can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/transt98.htm
 

Mini-Menu

 

Additional Reference

(Fictional) Terrorist Attack
on Chicago

Nature of the Threat....
Chicago, IL, February
26, 1995
http://www.emergency.
com/chgoattk.htm
 

Emergency.com Search Engine
Search this site
 

This page has been visited

Times