Multiple Terrorist Bombings in London (July 7, UPDATED during day)

By Andrew Cochran

ABC News now reports that British officials told U.S. law enforcement that they found 2 unexploded bombs in London. Iran, Syria, Hamas, and Hezbollah all condemn the attacks. London evening rush hour ends with no problems. Four separate bombs on subways and bus (reduced from earlier reports) in London, multiple deaths and injuries. Fox News reports at least 40 confirmed dead and over 700 hurt. Prime Minister Blair labels them "terrorist attacks" and "barbaric" - CNN has a good timeline of the attacks (thanks to Jeffrey Imm for sending this). CBS News reports that US officials lean towards an Al Qaeda attack - Group calling itself "The Secret Organization of Al Qaeda in Europe" claims responsibility (thanks Michael McCaw), but no means at this time of verifying who carried out bombings, and our Evan Kohlmann thinks it's a hoax. NBC News reports that US officials do not see intel pointing to follow-on US attacks. Stories now emerging, including posts by our Contributing Experts above, on similarities to 3-11-04 Madrid train attacks.

US cities now tightening transit security, especially on Washington Metrorail. Fox News reports that U.S. terror alert level for trains and subways has been raised from "Yellow" to "Orange" and that DHS Secretary Chertoff states there is no specific intel of a pending US attack. Washington, DC police have moved to a higher alert level with more police on the streets. Localities, including NYC, Boston, and San Francisco, also raising local alert levels.

Israeli Foreign Minister specifically denies earlier report that British police warned the Israeli Embassy in London of possible terror attacks minutes before the first explosion.

Victor Comras notes that the trial of Abu Mazra al-Masri, Britain's best-known Islamic radical, started in London two days ago on multiple charges of soliciting the murder of others. Walid Phares noted on NBC that several groups threatened attacks in Britain in recent months. Michael Cutler reminds us that a lack of jail space plus a lack of special immigration agents enable aliens from virtually anywhere to head for the the US, with little fear of interference. "How more clearly must the message be driven home to our nation's leaders before we see an end to the madness known as 'Catch and Release?'" Our Contributing Experts are scheduling numerous media appearances and interviews for today and tomorrow.

And here is picture from subway cell phone, and here are multiple other pictures from London, links sent to me by Michael McCaw, a brave firefighter working in Baghdad.

President Bush expresses sympathy and solidarity and urges Americans to be "extra vigilant", and Pope Benedict XVI "deplores these barbaric acts against humanity" and offers prayers for victims. And France raises anti-terror alert to red, second-highest rating. The G8 and other countries and international organizations issued a joint statement condemning the "barbaric attacks" and stating, "Today�s bombings will not weaken in any way our resolve to uphold the most deeply held principles of our societies and to defeat those who would impose their fanaticism and extremism on all of us. We shall prevail. They shall not."

The Free Muslims Coalition in Washington has issued a statement condemning the attacks "and calls
on the silent majority of Muslims to stand up against the terrorists who commit evil in their name."

Nick Fielding, senior correspondent for the Sunday Times of London and a regular CT Blog reader, emailed the following account to me for posting here: "I have just got back from the site of the bombing in Edgware Rd. I spoke to a young American, Sean Baran, who had been passing the station on a bus when he saw injured people coming out. He is a trained emergency response worker from Westfield, New Jersey. He got off the bus and began to give medical aid. The London Metropole Hilton was used as a triage station where patients were quickly sorted according to the seriousness of their wounds, before they were taken the short distance to St Mary's Hospital. Baran said about 60 people - including one child - had been treated, including at least three in critical condition. Nurses worked the lines, while police took details. He said the floor of one train carriage had been completely destroyed. Most people had smoke inhalation or glass injuries. One man, he said had been trapped under a train that had been coming in the opposite direction. The train was just 100 yds out of the station when the explosion occurred. The lights stayed on in at leas the last two carriages, from which people existed and walked back along the track to the station. Police Superintendent John Morgan told us that there were numerous casualties, including fatalities. St Mary's Hospital said they had received four critical injured, 8 seriously injured and many more walking wounded." Our good friend and best media ally John Batchelor tells me that former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in London and on the street when the bombs hit, and was pushed back into his hotel at the first strike.

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