10 killed, 150 injured in London explosions, report

A station of London's underground is closed after an explosion happening in the city's financial district July 7, 2005. The subway maintenance company said that a power surge caused the explosion leaving several people injured.

It seems that 10 died and 150 were injured in about six explosions that simultaneously rocked central London on Thursday morning, according to BBC report. Casualties are likely to rise. It is not yet known who is responsible for the explosions.

The two fatalities were reported in an explosion at London's Aldgate East underground station, police said.

"(We can) confirm there were two fatalities at Aldgate East station this morning," a police spokeswoman said.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke admitted "terrible injuries" caused by the blasts and police said there were at least 90 casualties.

A photo from TV shows rescuers at the site of the explosion, London, 2005 (Xinhua/AFP photo)

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is now in the Scottish resort of Glenealges for a G8 summit, said a televised statement from the Group of Eight summit meeting of world leaders that "Just as it is reasonably clear that this is a terrorist attack or a series of terrorist attacks, it is also reasonably clear that it is designed and aimed to coincide with the opening of the G8."

"It is the will of all of the leaders of the G8, however, that the meeting should continue in my absence, that we should continue to discuss the issues we were going to discuss - and reach the conclusions which we were going to reach," Mr. Blair said.

According to police, a series of explosions took place at or around the subway stations at Edgware Road, King's Cross, Liverpool Street, Russell Square, Aldgate East and Moorgate, hitting the city's transport system during rush hour Thursday morning and causing the suspension of the entire underground railway network and bus service.

A photo from TV shows two injured women near the Russell Square, London, July 7, 2005. (Xinhua/AFP)

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ian Blair told BBC television that there were about six explosions. "We think there are about six explosions. There are many casualties."

There were no definite reports on the causes of the blasts, but police had defined them as "major incidents."

"It is too too early to state what has happened," a London police spokesman said. "I cannot comment on reports of bombs, but we have had multi-reports of explosions around London."

The national Grid, which supplies power to the underground system, said there had no problems with its system which could have contributed to the incidents.

Busy police near the site of the explosions in London, July 7, 2005. (Xinhua/Reuters)

The explosions came a day after London celebrated winning the bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Police evacuated several tube stations after the incidents and shut down the whole railway network and bus service.

Firefighters and medical staff are mobilized around the city to explosion sites, while several contingency teams of the army are on the street to guard against any possible further attacks.

Pictures of injured people are seen on TV news. One witness said he saw "the bus was ripped open like a can of sardines and bodies everywhere."

Sources: Agencies