London Rocked By Terror Attacks

7 Jul, 2005 at 10:09am ET Article published in Tech

At least 50 people have been killed and many more injured in terror attacks on London’s transport network, coinciding with the official start of G8 summit in Scotland.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was “reasonably clear” there had been a series of terrorist attacks.

He said it was “particularly barbaric” that it was timed to coincide with the G8 summit. He is returning to London.

An Islamist website has posted a statement – purportedly from al-Qaeda – claiming it was behind the attacks.
…
US President George Bush told reporters at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles that “the war on terror goes on.”

The Queen said she was “deeply shocked” and sent her sympathy to those affected.

Number of Fatalities updated. 11:56 GMT 8th July

Source: BBC

Comments

7 Jul 2005 ~ 10:41am QCH I support our leaders today... my views yesterday is out the window. You attack us, you bring us together to kick your a$$... Don't stick your hand in a hornets nest without thinking about what you're gonna get... yep, you're getting stung... alot.
7 Jul 2005 ~ 11:48am Jolyon33 Its only proper that Blair should return to London. Can you imagine the uproar if
he remained in Scotland. He would be vilified. My profoundest sympathies to our brothers across the sea.

Hopefully those who planned and executed these attacks will be either found dead or alive.
(Personally, I prefer dead!!)
7 Jul 2005 ~ 1:04pm topherice Mail&GuardianOnline
is reporting "A group calling itself the Organisation of al-Qaeda Jihad in Europe, also identified in some reports as the Secret Organisation of al-Qaeda in Europe, claimed Thursday's attacks in London and threatened similar strikes in Italy, Denmark and other "Crusader" states with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan."
7 Jul 2005 ~ 1:08pm floppybootstomp

so Tony Blair's immediate reaction is to cave to these terrorists and leave the G8 summit? great job dumb****

Bush's statement:

"We will not yield to these people, will not yield to the terrorists," he said in a short statement after Blair departed. "We will find them, we will bring them to justice, and at the same time we will spread an ideology of hope and compassion that will overwhelm their ideology of hate."

WTG Bush, talk about spreading your ideology cross the world. What an idiot.

I am reminded here of why I stopped coming to this place. Too many morons.

My first gut reaction, I must confess, was similar to kanezfan's and I also thought of violence towards Muslims, mosques.

But yes, I know, that's stupid. Deaths here today may well include people of every religious persuasion, including Muslims, these terrorist bastards just don't care.

Have some of you already forgotten 9/11? I never will.

Today, we just had our very own mini 9/11.

AFAIK, I haven't lost anybody I know today, but it's very, very close to home.

My thoughts are with all the friends and relatives of the dead an injured.

Bush and Blair are right in this instance. The murdering scumbags won't win. Ever.
7 Jul 2005 ~ 2:20pm TheBaron jesus christ, you guys are ridiculous. look, there is always a goal behind a terror attack. in this case, it was planned for the beginning of the G8 summit for a reason. Tony Blair leaving is exactly the same as if they left him a nice note asking him to go ahead and leave the summit to come home. His leadership IS NOT IMMEDIATELY NECESSARY, otherwise he would have never gone to the summit in the first place. the goal of something like that is to encourage a dialogue among MANY world leaders, and having some of them not there is a terrible idea. I'd elaborate more, but I have work to do
7 Jul 2005 ~ 2:54pm kanezfan I think Bush is the worst president we've ever had. I think he's done more to harm the world as a whole than any other president we've ever had. I think that terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda are buoyed into acting out against the civilized world more today than ever before because of Bush's cavalier attitude. However, what are we supposed to do, take it? How many more people in the US, Britain, Spain, and Israel are going to have to die? Why are our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq getting killed? Both countries ae going to fall into anarchy the minute we leave. Anyways, this is a charged issue, did you expect everyone to just say "Oh my God, bless their souls..." These people are coming after you, me, all of us. To ignore it and believe that they will somehow repent is idiotic. The bottom line is that Islam is a young religion and unfortunately many of its followers are still living in the past, the same past where the Christian world believed it had to go on crusades and kill everyone who didn't agree with them.

You disagree with me and that's fine, but you post something on a discussion board and you're opening it up to discussion. If you don't want people's honest opinion on something so controversial, then either don't post it or close the thread.

I'm no redneck, and no you don't blow up New York to get rid of the Mafia. The Mafia isn't blowing up hundreds of people every day either though are they? How many people really believed in the Japanese government's policies during WWII? We nuked them and they fell right in line didn't they? I'd rather save all my people than have a few die so I can "TRY" to make the other side act more civilized. My opinion stands, and yeah it's extreme, but that's what I believe needs to be done.
7 Jul 2005 ~ 3:08pm Shorty

TheBaron wrote:

jesus christ, you guys are ridiculous. look, there is always a goal behind a terror attack. in this case, it was planned for the beginning of the G8 summit for a reason. Tony Blair leaving is exactly the same as if they left him a nice note asking him to go ahead and leave the summit to come home. His leadership IS NOT IMMEDIATELY NECESSARY, otherwise he would have never gone to the summit in the first place. the goal of something like that is to encourage a dialogue among MANY world leaders, and having some of them not there is a terrible idea. I'd elaborate more, but I have work to do

Do you live here..? Did I miss where you moved from Texas to London/UK..?

Please do tell me at what part it's stupid for the LEADER OF THE COUNTRY to go to the scene of a national disaster in the time of need. Show his support and be in the thick of things.

Now I am a rational, level headed person, so will not turn this into a political battle of wits. The damage done today to my country will haunt us as 9/11 did to you. Have some respect all of you and do not detoriate this thread into cat calling and negativity. It'l get nuked very fast because a collection of individuals did alot of damage today and it's just a small group, not the world/islam/christians/atheists/satanists or any other cult.
7 Jul 2005 ~ 4:21pm Thrax So far, I only agree with Shorty and Jolyon.
7 Jul 2005 ~ 4:47pm QCH !!! EVERYONE !!!

Forget talking about politics or views on political leaders...

This is a thread that should talk about the facts, relay information, and give support for our friends in the UK.

You want to discuss political views, take it someplace else. Remember, one of the owners lives in UK and MANY members live there too... have some respect.
7 Jul 2005 ~ 4:47pm Kwitko Unfortunately, I know what it's to witness a terrorist attack firsthand, so I know what is going through the minds of our UK friends. It's an odd mixture of fear, anger, and relief. Fear of what will come next, anger towards whoever did this, and relief that you're still alive.

This day will stick in my mind, surely as 9/11 has. Tony Blair did the right thing by returning to London. I remember when shortly after 9/11, George Bush made his way to Ground Zero. It boosted the morale of the workers down there, and the morale of our country. England needs PM Blair right now and he's where he's needed.
7 Jul 2005 ~ 5:15pm Spinner I've just updated the number of dead, which now stands at an appalling 38. 700 injured. A couple of pictures added also.

Yesterday was one of the greatest days London had experienced in recent years with the announcement that the 2012 Olympics would be held in the City. There were celebrations in the streets with the whole country for once feeling united in happiness.

Today was and is one of the darkest days London has experienced probably since the WWII. With the whole country feeling united in pure sadness and grief.

That contrast is what makes what has happened today that little bit more painful.

My heart goes out to all the people who have lost their lives today, and of course the families they leave behind.
7 Jul 2005 ~ 8:00pm profdlp

Spinner wrote:

...Yesterday was one of the greatest days London had experienced in recent years with the announcement that the 2012 Olympics would be held in the City...

I picked up the newspaper this morning to see a large picture (front page, "above the fold") of happy Londoners in Trafalgar Square celebrating the news about the Olympics. The image was filled with balloons, confetti, and hundreds of smiling people enjoying themselves.

Then I turned on the news to a scene of horror and tragedy.

I wish there was something more I could do, but please know that my thoughts are with you all today.
7 Jul 2005 ~ 11:03pm csimon Horrible tragedy indeed. The vice president of my new company is there and he called in this morning to tell us he is ok. I'm pretty positive that he had to cancel his presentation.
7 Jul 2005 ~ 11:05pm sfleuriet yes i sure feel for the families

regarding the olympic decision the day before - its amazing how quickly things can change, and how fast happiness goes to sorrow.
9 Jul 2005 ~ 6:35am EMT Thanks for posting this, first I've heard. My condolences to those affected.