As you’ve probably heard by now, a number of explosions have gone off in the London Underground system and on a number of buses. Tony Blair has just confirmed it was a terrorist attack designed to coincide with the G8 conference.
Thanks to those of you IMing to see if I’m OK – I am, and fortunately everyone at Multimap has been accounted for too. The explosions all occurred fairly near the office here, so we’ve been surrounded by sirens for the last few hours. BBC News and the Guardian both have detailed coverage, and the Guardian Newsblog reports a number of fatalities (I overheard someone say 20 during Tony Blair’s address). Those of you craving audio should refer to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and their Newsradio stream (Windows media) which has been running the BBC World Service. There’s now a Wikipedia entry, a Wikinews report and a Flickr pool for the bombing.
I feel sick.
I’d like to a quote from Adactio. Jeremy gets it spot on with the way London is responding to this:
The terrorists responsible for these attacks are clearly not only a bunch of murdering bastards, they are a bunch of murdering bastards who don’t know their history. London made it through the blitz and through years of IRA bombings. Londoners react to explosions not with fear and terror but with resolution and bravery.
Timmargh wrote:
Good to hear you’re okay – makes a change from only hearing “casualty figures” on the news channels.
Adam wrote:
I’m glad too, to hear you’re all right!
I think, this whole terrorism is a mistake from both sides of it.
Rob Weychert wrote:
Glad to hear you’re okay, Rich. You and your neighbors are in my thoughts…
Shaun Inman wrote:
Glad to hear you and yours are okay Richard.
Veerle Pieters wrote:
Great to hear you and your colleagues are fine. So sad that peolple still haven’t learned that this isn’t the way. Stay safe!
Jan Brasna wrote:
OMG, it’s great to hear you and Jeremy are OK. I hope everyone in the area is going to post similar text soon.
Andy Hume wrote:
Well said Rich & Jeremy.
Hearing Tony Blair on the radio was quite weird. There was a hushed quiet around the office as people listened to him, and I thought of those TV clips you see of people huddling round radios during WWII listening to their Prime Minister.
Whether I should compare BLiar to Churchill is of course a matter of some debate – but it was a weird moment.
Jan Brasna wrote:
Patrick Griffiths has just sent me a mail that he’s also okay.
Jens Meiert wrote:
Glad to hear you’re okay.
Small Paul wrote:
Amen to Jeremy. Couldn’t have said it better myself, and I know, cos I tried :)
I’m just really sorry for all the families involved.
Matt Robin wrote:
Three words:
“COWARDS NEVER WIN!”
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Which words can really do justice to these senseless acts of moronic violence?
The victims deserve our deepest sympathies and the terrorists deserve no respectat all.
I used to live in London (where I’m from originally) – and I can remember the constant threat of the IRA bombing campaigns plaguing the city for many years. On one occaision, the ‘Harrods Bomb’ in the mid-80’s actually went off only about 5 minutes after I’d been in that exact spot where it occurred! But at least those blasts, devasting as they were, had warnings (of sorts)...today’s bombings had no warnings at all.
If the terrorists think that something like this will bring London to its knees – they are wrong.
If they think it will ruin the G8 talks – they are also wrong.
These terrorists are nothing but cowards and murderers and should be treated accordingly.
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A friend of mine on the Preople website has just created this site for people to leave messages of support for the victims or just general thoughts:
http://www.london0707.org
Best wishes,
Matt Robin
http://preople.com/mattrobin
Kitta wrote:
Good to know you and your colleagues are ok.
Justin Kistner wrote:
The strength of your posts about this issue and the quote by Jeremy gave me chills. Your words are immensely powerful and demonstrate the exact attitude that is our only real hope in squelching terrorist activity. Thank you.
terry wrote:
Please take a moment to show your compassion for the victims who lost there lives in this weeks London bomb disaster, please take a few moments to sign the online book of condolence set up for the London Bomb Victims www.londonbombvictims.co.uk/
Please pass this on to your friends.
Powered by memorial site www.Gonetoosoon.co.uk
Heather wrote:
I am so sorry to the families who where touched by the bombings.. hope that you can remember the good times not this useless action …
remember how sweet this life is .. and do something good with it… our actions have re actions.. hugs are good for the soul.
god bless and keep you
Katrina.G.Simmons wrote:
I am very sorry to all those people who died I keep wandering how they would of felt during the bombs I would like to know If you could email me some info on the London bomb thank you
singned
Katrina Simmons
Samantha wrote:
I think whomever did it should be dead themselves, if they can take the lives and injure so many people then they don’t deserved to live!!
They obviously have no feelings and are no way compassionate. It sickens me to think, and know, that someone or some people have done this
Rich wrote:
Samantha – I can understand why you would say the perpetrators don’t deserve to live, but it’s a sentiment that should remain in the heat of the moment only.
Samantha wrote:
I am so sorry for those that have lost their lives and for those who have lost their loved ones.
Samantha wrote:
I think that was a bit harsh wot she wrote 2 (i’m a different Samantha (the 2nd one))
Stuart wrote:
My heart goes out to all those families who have lost close ones to there hearts. i feel sickened that these horrible madmen have no remorse but praise themselves.
I only have admiration for those commuters stating that they will not be detered by these terriosts and still will commute on the tube, this is what makes me feel proud to be british.
Also i would like to thank the emergancy services without them all hope would be lost. I can only offer my condolonces and sympathys again and again and i will be running a memorial page on my website.
jane wrote:
To The London Bombers
Who were you to take my life ?
Do you know Ive left a wife ?
Will you see my childrens tears ?
Will you fill their empty years ?
Will you tell them Daddy died ?
Will you feel their pain inside ?
Will you stroke my Mothers hair ?
When she grieves will you be there ?
Will you pay the household bills ?
Soothe my children when theyre ill ?
Be Santa Claus on Christmas Day ?
Love them always come what may ?
Was I not a Godly man ?
Tell me , make me understand
Why you chose to let me die
I knew not you , you knew not I
dedicated to the victims and their families