Blair returns as death toll rises
Tony Blair has returned to London in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the capital this morning in which at least 33 people were killed.
The prime minister left the G8 summit in Gleneagles in Scotland but told reporters that the meeting of the world’s richest leaders would continue, regardless of the attacks.
Police have confirmed that four separate explosions occurred on London’s public transport system from 08:51 BST this morning, with fatalities resulting from each of them.
The first blast occurred on a Circle or Central line train coming into Liverpool Street station in east London, which left seven people dead.
Five minutes later another explosion then rocked a Piccadilly line train between Kings Cross and Russell Square stations, killing 21 people, before a third attack at 09:17 BST on a Circle line train close to Edgware Road station, where five people died.
At 09:47 BST a double-decker bus exploded in Tavistock Square, close to Russell Square, after an incendiary device went off at the back of the upper deck.
Police have confirmed that there were also fatalities there, although they have not put a figure on the dead as yet.
Forty-five people are still being treated for serious injuries after hundreds were taken to the Royal London hospital in Whitechapel, St Mary’s hospital in the City and the Royal Free hospital in Hampstead throughout the day.
The entire public transport network has been shut down and tube system is unlikely to be reopened until tomorrow, although bus services are due to resume later today.
Most mainline rail services are running but Kings Cross, Liverpool Street and Euston stations remained closed late this afternoon.
Speaking at a joint press conference this afternoon, Metropolitan police deputy assistant commissioner Brian Paddick refused to elaborate on reports that the explosion on the bus was a result of a suicide bomber.
“It could as easily be an explosive device left on the bus or the work of a suicide bomber. We are not able to determine which it was yet,” DAC Paddick said.
He added: “This was a callous attack on purely innocent members of the public deliberately designed to kill and inflict maximum injury.”
Earlier in the day, prime minister Tony Blair stated that it was “reasonably clear” that the attacks were committed by terrorists.
