Terrorists set off four explosions in London Thursday morning killing at least 40 people and injuring at least 300 more. Three blasts hit the London subway while one hit a double decker bus. The bombings took place during the morning rush hour and were obviously designed to inflict the maximum number of casualties.
The attacks were designed to coincide with the G8 summit. While security was centered on Gleneagles, Scotland, the terrorists struck in the British capital. Prime Minister Tony Blair left the G8 summit to return to London by helicopter shortly after news of the attacks reached Gleneagles.
The explosions occurred between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM local time. Local authorities immediately shut down the subway and bus system in London which brought the morning commute to a standstill. Many streets in central London were left almost deserted once news of the bombs spread.
Tony Blair told reporters, 'Whatever they do, it is our determination that they will never succeed in destroying what we hold dear in this country and in other civilized nations throughout the world.'
Blair later added, 'We shall prevail and they shall not.'
A group calling itself 'The Secret Organization of al-Qaeda in Europe' claimed responsibility for the attacks on a Web site often used by Islamic militant groups. The statement claimed the attacks were due to England's involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The statement by the terrorists also threatened additional attacks in Denmark and Italy. According to Homeland Security officials in the United States, the U.S., there is no imminent threat of an attack on the United States at this time.
Mayor Ken Linvingstone of London was in Singapore for yesterday's announcement of the host of the 2012 Olympic games. He told reporters, 'This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty or the powerful ... it was aimed at ordinary working-class Londoners.'
Seven hospitals in London reported that 334 people had been treated for injuries due to the blast, according to the Associated Press. 120 of them had already been treated and released.
Pope Benedict XVI declared the blasts 'terrorist attacks' and 'barbaric acts against humanity.' He announced that he was praying for the families of the victims.
This is the largest terrorist attack in Europe since the March 11, 2004 bombings in the Madrid subway. 191 people died in that attack.
Security forces remain on alert in London and elsewhere as the wounded are given medical treatment and the country recovers from this horrific attack.
