Unpleasantness in London

[Runai]

This isn't that huge, but just making sure any VAAs who are London-based haven't been affected too badly, following the alleged bombings and whatnot.
Anyone got any leads or general thoughts on what's going on? I guess aside from Al Quaeda nonsense, it could be some European extremists angry about 2012 or something.

Anyhoo, as long as everyone's safe and well.

[ClymAngus]

Just finding people at the moment. It's all a bit hectic around here at the moment. They waited till the tubes were shut before detonating the buses. Bastards.

[Danae]

Good, Clym. Glad you're alright.

Has there been any word from our esteemed Leader yet? How about Danyata and Tima and the rest of the gang? I'm worried about all of you.

Indira (Poli) is visiting London right now as well. I'm really on edge.

[Yami no Kitsune]

Sick bastards bombing London when they know all the security is gonna be focused up here for G8 this week. I can't believe they'd do something like that. They were probably thinking that the casualty rate would be a lot higher on the London Underground, but thankfully there are only 2 dead. Could have been a lot worse. I've seen pics of the bus they bombed, just makes me feel ill looking at it.

I hope all the Londoners are safe. We're worried about you, post here to let us know you're not hurt!

[danyata]

I'm fine and so is Tima. We don't live directly in London but with the tube shut down the traffic is starting to build here :\ I hope Azure is good.

[Danae]

40 dead now.

[Khavi]

It's been a bit shocking! Anyone heard from Azure??? I'm a friend of hers and I'm a bit concerned!

Is everyone else ok?

[Matt Cruea]

That's awful. I can't wait for thirty different terrorist groups to claim responsibility for this so that the culprits never get caught.

I'm also waiting to hear the first "It was probably Bush's doing" claim.

[Peterodl]

Bombs at Kings Cross, Russel Square, Aldgate East, Liverpool Street and Edgeware Road.

All locations I use with extreme frequently while in London. I lived two blocks from Russel Square and Kings Cross this last time in Febuary and was only 2 blocks away from Edgeware Road station while staying on Old Marylebone Road the time before.

These attacks are horrible. I can't think of words harsh enough to describe them and the people who carried them out.

I hope that everyone is safe. That's all I can do at this point in time.

[Yami no Kitsune]

So far, only one terrorist organisation have claimed responsibility. They claim to have links to al-Qaeda.

If you want to keep tabs on this, you can watch the live video stream here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/

[Danae]

Peter, really glad you're okay.

Still nothing from Azure.

As for rumors that have been going about:

-Attack was coordinated through a message board
-A med student in London is saying that the death toll is closer to 300.


....Fuck.

[Yami no Kitsune]

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. There are just over 33 confirmed fatalities at the moment. Over 150 people are seriously injured. Most people have been evacuated from the underground, all public transport has been shut down. The only way to get around is to walk or go by car.

The entire north part of the tube will be closed down for some time. The bus service will resume later this afternoon, and all buses will be searched regularly at the beginning and ending of the journeys, and at random stops in between.

Fatalities:
7 died at Liverpool Street Station
21 died at Kings Cross Station
5 died at Edgeware
Unknown number fatalities from the bus bombing, but they are understood to be numerous.

[Danae]

Indira has checked in, and she's fine.

[TamTu]

Just got off the phone with Azure. She's A-okay.

[Khavi]

Yeah. I just heard from Andy, he and Azure are fine!

[Andy 0_0]

Cheers Tamtu...Imagine Azures surprise getting a phonecall from you! ^^
I remembered my username...thanks Khavi! ^^

I cant shake the feeling this wont be the last....the Attack to Fatality ratio would come as a major dissapointment to the terrorists responsible.

Terrorism...no matter how you look at it...its cowardly...only the innocent suffer & no outcome is delivered....except for loss,pain & hate.

This incident was bound to happen at some point.

I hope everyones all accounted for.

[Yami no Kitsune]

That's a relief, you have no idea how I have been fretting... I'm watching the 24 hour BBC news for updates. There was a report that one of the fatalities had been blasted out of one train and into the path of anoher train.

In one hospital, over 200 people have been treated
approx. 10 in serious condition
4 in critical condition

Still an unknown number from the bus bombing, but an eye witness says there are at least 2.

[TamTu]

Cheers Tamtu...Imagine Azures surprise getting a phonecall from you! ^^

Yeaaah, she laughed when I told her I logged into our Easyspace account and checked her user details. SHe figured it'd be something like that. Laughter = good.

[Yami no Kitsune]

Hehe, at least she wasn't mad. ^^


Stats as of now:

33+ dead
45 critically injured
300 minor injuries.

[Fiona C]

So all the english folks or folks in England are alright, then?

I first heard of this when I was at the train station, waiting for the 12.50 to Glasgow Queen Street. I thought it was just the boys talking rubbish (I was talking to some third year boys about the G8.) Then, I got home earlier, and my sister was telling me that she had just locked a thread about it at Underground Scene. I turned on the TV, and it seems BBC 1's been blanket-covering it all day.

London's well used to this sort of thing, I'm sure -- they dealt with IRA attacks, too. But it's kinda scary. Usually, the MI5/MI6 catch the folks before the attacks happen.... and this came without any warning.

*shivers* Scary stuff.

[renren_chan]

I just got off the phone with my aunt a few hours ago. I was sobbing with relief that neither she or my cousins were on the underground. Everybody in my family is on edge at the moment. Its undeniably disturbing, I've had the news on all day just watching an absorbing it all. I mean its surreal to me, two weeks ago I was walking along those streets and catching those trains and now... Christ. And right after recieving the 2012 Olympics bid. I just can't believe it. I mean, its London, you know? I know how stupid I sound but... fuck. I don't want to believe it happened.

Also, to all Londoners, you all rock. How you all kept your heads in this crisis is amazing and admirable.

[Windy*]

Thank goodness everyone here is okay. ;_;

What do you suspect will happen for tourists in Europe? I have several friends visiting right now, two of which could potentially be in England... oh, what a terrible time to be on vacation there... one of the two friends just left yesterday morning. I hope they can get home.

And I hope no one else is confirmed dead, because that'd be awful. x_x I can't believe London had get involved in all this, just for their support of the Iraqi war. It's really upsetting.

[Merr]

Phew, I'm so glad that everyone's okay! Living in DC on September 11, I can tell you how frightening that was, so I completely understand how you all must feel. And like Windy-chan said, I hope this is the highest we'll see the fatality count go. But thank God all of you guys are okay, and I hope all your family members and friends are safe as well.

[Peterodl]

What do you suspect will happen for tourists in Europe?

Personally, I think of London and the UK as a whole as a second home and I always look forward to going back.
I'm not going to let some psychotic nut-jobs who like to blow innocent people up in the name of a religion which they are wrongly embracing to stop me from traveling to where I love to be.

[Seishiro17]

What do you suspect will happen for tourists in Europe?

Personally, I think of London and the UK as a whole as a second home and I always look forward to going back.
I'm not going to let some psychotic nut-jobs who like to blow innocent people up in the name of a religion which they are wrongly embracing to stop me from traveling to where I love to be.

all I can say is I'm glad the voice of reason still lives on in most of us.

[Mindychan]

*huggles all* ;o;

[teggy16]

I did only live a couple of hours from NYC when 9/11 happened, but... this must be harder... I hope everyone is okay and safe and I will keep them in my prayers.

[Yami no Kitsune]

There were police all over the place in Glasgow today because they thought the bombers might strike here next (closer to the G8 summit). I'm not really scared... I was shocked at the attacks today, but I can't say I'm surprised really.

Stats:
37+ dead
50+ critical
700+ injured

[GenesisAvalon]

My family lives in New York City, so I know how scary it can be... 9/11 was pretty tough for us... but, everyone out in England is in my prayers.

Thank god the death toll isn't as high as it really could be... *sighs* This is really horrid.

[Hawkeye_GGK]

It's hard to get attached to a situation that doesn't personally affect you, but the loss of any life to me is appauling. I'm glad everyone on the site in Great Britain is all right and hopefully you'll all be able to get back to your lives sooner than later.

It's still hard to imagine how anyone can honestly say "Good Bye" to their friends and loved ones before going off to slay people that have never done anything to them, and for that person to feel justified in the action.

I'm sorry to everyone.

[Darth Mongoose]

Since everybody knows I live way up in the north of England/ Nobody non-British cares about me on here anyway. I guess it didn't need to be said, but I'm alive and merely shocked and angry about this whole thing.
Glad to head the southern AVAers are all fine, I was kinda worried about you guys.

[Deiji]

I'm really worried!! I've been trying to contact my family who live in central London all day! And i know that they all take the tube to work every morning ._. i'm praying that they either phone or e-mail me at least before tomorrow!
Also i'm kinda worried because i only live 2-3 miles away from Gatwick airport. IF there is going to be another attack, i know it's unlikely that it'd be at an airport because that'd be too obvious, plus the security is all over the place there! Also Gatwick is no where near as big as Heathrow, of course, but i still worry.
I pray that no one on the VAA was hurt or affected by these attacks!

[McCorvic Sucks]

Le sigh.

I come home on my lunch break today and hear a breif snippet on the news channel about it. I turn stayed tuned to hear more...first I hear about sports, then I hear about weather, then I hear about something about some guy in denver being sentenced to some stupid amount of years in jail, then commercials...then I had to go back to work. Is it sad that I have to come to the VAA for news?

[Yami no Kitsune]

Deiji, I'm sure they'll be alright. Maybe they just haven't had a chance to get to a phone yet.

[Matt Cruea]

Le sigh.

I come home on my lunch break today and hear a breif snippet on the news channel about it. I turn stayed tuned to hear more...first I hear about sports, then I hear about weather, then I hear about something about some guy in denver being sentenced to some stupid amount of years in jail, then commercials...then I had to go back to work. Is it sad that I have to come to the VAA for news?

What the fuck news channel were you watching? There was continuous coverage on CNN from everyone's favorite double-last-name reporter, Anderson Cooper.

[Nikki Wright]

Le sigh.

I come home on my lunch break today and hear a breif snippet on the news channel about it. I turn stayed tuned to hear more...first I hear about sports, then I hear about weather, then I hear about something about some guy in denver being sentenced to some stupid amount of years in jail, then commercials...then I had to go back to work. Is it sad that I have to come to the VAA for news?

What the fuck news channel were you watching? There was continuous coverage on CNN from everyone's favorite double-last-name reporter, Anderson Cooper.My local news channel decided it would be more important to cover real-life virtual cops.

... Seriously.


Anyway.. my thoughts are with the families of those dead or suffering. ._.

[alessa]

...I can't believe it...

How can some people be so cruel?

[Cefaclor]

It just saddens me to think that things like this go on around the world, all the time, but when it finally hits close to home, thats when we realize its reality.
Im very worried, about my family in UK. Couldnt get them on the phone. Hope they are okay.

[Edwyn]

Good luck to all who are affected by this. And here's a little something that may (hopefully) bring a wry smile to your face:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/harry_whodunnit/58657.html

[Runai]

It's unnerving that the death count keeps creeping up, but this was certainly no 9/11. Of course, the numbers make no difference to those affected, either directly or indirectly. We should just be prepared for anything more to come.

All the support from our friends in the states is much appreciated. I guess that's what it's all about; not being disrupted by it and sticking together. We can't quite come close to realising the horror that you guys witnessed, but we're all targets of some cowardly, dispicable foe, and we won't let them tear everything apart for us.

Also, in response to MI5/6 or whoever experiencing an intelligence failure, we should remember that we only notice the plans/attacks that do get through, and have no idea of how many more that may have been thwarted by those protecting our countries.

[Azure]

I wrote this yesterday as my conection had fritzed up ( what a time for it to go)

7th July 2005
Well I’m Ok guys but I’m in shock, on the 6th of July my internet cut out and on the 7th I slept late and when I awoke I did the typical student thing and sat watching anime. It was only when Andy called on my mobile me to check I was all right that I knew something was wrong. He was worried that I’d gone into London to buy a new modem. Thank goodness I hadn’t
I turned on the T.V and sat there numb watching the images. The night before a lot of people in London had been celebrating, the atmosphere after winning the right to hold the Olympics and after Live8 and Wimbledon ( which is held near me)has been amazing. We Brits don’t feel we often win stuff, but on the eve of G8 we felt hopeful, the weather even looked like it might be pretty good too.
I don’t think it really hit me until after Tamtu took the time to phone, at the same time my mobile went off again but I took the landline call first. I was kinda surprised that it was Tamtu and I hope I didn’t sound odd or anything as I said I was still in shock, and was oddly aware of my own voice I think in an odd way I sounded like Rukia falsely bright, there was a strong sense of unreality you know?
It’s scary when your friends are calling just to make sure you’re, alright ,alive even and not to discuss a new video game or anime or whatever. Weirdly all I could think was the price of the call ^^,,I know Tamtu mentioned Danae being worried too, and that kinda brought it home, I mean it reminded me of the time we met and we wondered around central London not far at all from the scenes of the disaster. Tamtu I hope we can chat again on the phone in better circumstances when I have a little more to say.
Although I live in the suburbs of London quite a distance away, I could have easy decided to go into London to shop or for job interviews etc. It’s scary when you see places you’ve visited with your friends on TV like that. I rang back Andy just after Tamtu’s call and he told thers were worrying about me, kinda weird. I hope the other London Vas are all right too, as well as my friends who work in the area. I really wanted to get online to make sure you were all alright, and I want to thank everyone who was worried about me it means a lot that you care, I just wish I found out in better circumstances.
My net connection is still messed up and I will post this as soon as I get online again. As I said it’s scary when your friends are trying to call you to make sure you’re even alive, since everyone phoned it’s hit home. When some people’s friends and family call they won’t get a reply, they won’t get the voice they are looking for on the other end of the line shocked and stunned oddly high. It’s beyond me why anyone would do such a thing. Those phone calls made me realise how important the voice of your friends and family is, we have fun with our voices we seek to entertain and we make friends through it, but sometimes you know just hearing the voices of the friends we care about is the most important thing of all. My heart goes out to all those effected who will never hear the voice of the ones they love again.
==
So there you have it, it's sad but we were expecting something to happen. A lot of the press have comented on how calm people are. It's just sad that so many people in so many countries have to die.

[hideko_dahlia]

Well, I'm just extremely glad you're all okay. I was really worried yesterday, and checked here as soon as I could. I'm at camp, so I don't get to watch the news or anything, but everyone found out about this; we told all the kids about it and everything. *hugs everyone* *including Mongoose<3*

Those idiots. Why. It solves nothing, only creates more conflict. Idiots idiots idiots. (okay I'm done.)

[Deiji]

Deiji, I'm sure they'll be alright. Maybe they just haven't had a chance to get to a phone yet.
Yeah, you're probably right. One of my cousins e-mailed me lastnight to confirm that he, his brother and parents are ok (although he went through Liverpool St on the tube only 10 mins before the bomb went off!!). He said even he hasn't heard anything from the rest of my family yet, so i'm still really worried. I'm going to call the hospital later and ask them if they're there. I'm sure they're probably fine, though. Thanks ^^

[Tregster]

I'm so glad all the Londoners from the VAA are okay. I worried so much about you all yesterday. My thoughts and feelings go out to everyone affected by this horrible tragedy.

[mystique]

being 12,000 miles away doesn't lessen the impact of seeing my home being bombed down.
there was a quote on BBC.co.uk from a guy who said something that rang true...

It is a funny feeling in London today - a nervous calm. We all feel bound by the fact that any one of us could have been the victims - just one hour later, a meeting cancelled here, a decision there. My heart goes out to those who have been killed or maimed and their families. For their sake we must strive to find ways of stopping these attacks both from a security perspective as well as a political one.
Paul Wright, London
For me, another parallel universe maybe, had i been in London going to work, i would've been caught up in it, cause i work slap bang oppisite King's Cross station (and St pancras St being next door, and Euston being 5 mins walk away. 3 Major National serving train stations all along one main road...)
and pass through Egdware road.
Although i take the bus to get to work tho :?

But that feels a lil too close to home, work mates are okay, most use King's cross to get to there, one workmate, funnily enough was 10mins late.
else she would have been on that train... *shudders*

but the quote's true...
when public transport is attacked and you see the everyday normal bus/tube in pieces or shreds...
and seeing as public transport is intregrated in everyone's lives every single day if we wanna get places or just even shop for foof, not a nice reminder...
of course we'll still travel on them, there isn't a choice, it's just not the same at the moment, maybe time's needed for that. :?

i got 5 weeks until i leave tokyo and head back home, see what the feelings like back then.
I didn't think this was true, but one of the americans, asked me if i noticed that the trains were quieter or somber than usual yesterday. (friday)
I did notice it wasn't so insanely full, but i thought that was because i was late...

and then i see the news programs on tv -_-
Japan's just been checking that no japanese were hurt
(doesn't look like it)
but are now linking every recent bomb attack (madrid, bali, 9/11 etc) spinning real scary stories on TV
(what will happen to tokyo etc etc, they beleive anything on TV news wise) :oy
I didn't think it that possible on a country that's living on a ticking time bomb (pardon my imagery) of the earth moving beneath them everyday, they deal with never knowing then the next big earthquake's gonna hit, if you're gonna be okay, and there have been speculations around tokyo for it already.

But Tokyo's running scared...
of course Japanese being Japanese aren't gonna talk bout it much (save my family) but the security and the bins taken from stations (i only just realised that yesterday when it was pointed out to me)
there's a lil tension in the air.....

(pardon my length, it all flowed out)
on a good note, i'm lessening my constant glueness to bbc.com from 3-4 hours on end to about 1... :P

But yeah... London's very very lucky that it wasn't worse then it could have been, but still...people lost lives as a result tho :(

[Andy 0_0]

Just read what you wrote there Azure ^^

Yeah....It was very worrying especially as there was no answer on the phone for a while.
The relief hearing a friends voice is in that situation is uncomparible...and puts things into perspective towards those who will never hear the voices again of loved ones & colleagues.
The power of a voice...

It was kind of enevitable this was to happen at some point...however how scary it is...life continues...If it didnt then the ones who did this act have won.

[Autumn]

Oh gosh guys, I don't really watch the news, but last night I saw it on Attack of the Show.

So is it confirmed that everyone we know and love in the London area is alright? I actually feel really horrible saying that. >.< I feel for the people who have lost family and friends, and those who are injured and their families too. I hope all you over there in London can get over the shock of the attack, and you're all in my prayers. (And as hideko said, you too, Darth Mongoose. ^_^)

EDIT: Oh yeah, and Deiji, heard anything from your family yet?

[Deiji]

Ok, i now my family are all fine now xD I called the hospital and they said there wasn't anyone there under their names. At first i was relieved, but then (typically) i started to really panic, wondering if they were killed and were un-identifiable!
But this morning i got an e-mail from my cousin xD it turns out that all this time she was in (a different) hospital, having a baby! I didn't even know she was pregnant! xD so yah, now i'm apparently an aunt! w00t!

[Fiona C]

Ok, i now my family are all fine now xD I called the hospital and they said there wasn't anyone there under their names. At first i was relieved, but then (typically) i started to really panic, wondering if they were killed and were un-identifiable!
But this morning i got an e-mail from my cousin xD it turns out that all this time she was in (a different) hospital, having a baby! I didn't even know she was pregnant! xD so yah, now i'm apparently an aunt! w00t!

*hugs* Congratulations, to both you and your cousin! <3

I'm glad to hear all your family are safe. ^^

[Autumn]

Ok, i now my family are all fine now xD I called the hospital and they said there wasn't anyone there under their names. At first i was relieved, but then (typically) i started to really panic, wondering if they were killed and were un-identifiable!
But this morning i got an e-mail from my cousin xD it turns out that all this time she was in (a different) hospital, having a baby! I didn't even know she was pregnant! xD so yah, now i'm apparently an aunt! w00t!

*hugs* Congratulations, to both you and your cousin! <3

I'm glad to hear all your family are safe. ^^

Ditto. ^__^

[fairuza]

It's just so terrible what happened with London!
I wish you all the best of love, God Bless you all!

(sigh) Why does it seem this world is evolved around war, hate,anger, Torture...... :(

[Azure]

I can't believe it, there's been another attack in London today. It looks like no one's been hurt or at least very minor injuries.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4703777.stm
When I saw it on the news my heart literally skipped a beat, I just wasn't expecting something else so soon, and this time it's not even central London. I just can't beleive there are such sickos out there.

[fairuza]

What a crazy world we're living in!!!!
This is just awful. :(

[hideko_dahlia]

Oh god. Not again. Everybody over there still okay?

This is just getting crazy....... Why. Why why why. >.>;;;; Gr.

[Deiji]

Okay.. now i REALLY am scared >>; i'm fine, thanks! PLEASE say that everyone else is!!! EVERYONE CONFIRM THAT YOU'RE FINE!!!!!! PLEEEEEASE!!!