For Immediate Release: 14:25CST-02/09/96
EmergencyNet News Service
Within minutes of an announcement by the IRA that they had called off their cease-fire with the government of the UK, a blast shook an area near South Quay station in East London. The explosion, being called a "device" by Special Branch officials, reportedly injuring as many as 50 people and there are reports of others being trapped.
The explosion came shortly after 19:00 (7:00p.m) London time. An eyewitness called the scene chaotic and said that many people were wounded. London fire and ambulance brigade personnel were said to be working feveriously to rescue entrapped people and take the injured to area hospitals. Numerous people were said to be cut by flying glass and debris. According to news reports, the windows of nearby buildings had been blown out and part of one building may have collapsed.
Several sources reportedly received bomb threats prior to the blast. The state-backed RTE radio and television network is said to have received a call claiming to end the cease fire. BBS Radio in London also reportedly received a call of a bomb threat, prompting police to begin evacuation of a train station at or near the site of the explosion.
Speculation has begun that the blast was the responsibility of a "militant splinter group" of the IRA and that the Gerry Adams and the main political leadership have not ended the cease-fire. Confirmation as to those claiming responsibility has not been received, and counter-terrorist operatives and analysts from Scotland Yard are said to be beginning an investigation.
ENN is following further details and will provide additional reports as the information becomes available.
(Ed. Note: 02/11/96- UPDATE: Two bodies were discovered on 02/10/96 in the rubble of a bombed out office building. Mr. Gerry Adams later refused to deny the IRA involvement in the incident and blamed any loss of human life on the "slowness and lack of understanding on the part of British Government" in its negotiation process. An estimated 85 million pounds in damage was done to structures and vehicles surrounding the blast site.)
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