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Blair Calls London Blasts Terrorism

Posted on: Thursday, 7 July 2005, 12:00 CDT

British Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed a series of explosions that rocked London Thursday were terrorist attacks.

London was gridlocked after five blasts at subway stations followed three aboard buses in the morning rush hour. A group calling itself Secret Organization Group of al-Qaida of Jihad in Europe claimed responsibility, the Italian news agency, ANSA, reported.

We're still trying to establish what has happened, Blair said, adding, It is reasonably clear there have been a series of terrorist attacks in London.

Blair said he would leave the Group of Eight meeting in Scotland to receive a briefing from investigators. He said the G8 summit would continue in his absence.

Blair condemned the attacks, saying terrorists' efforts to bring death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism on the world ... will never succeed in this country and civilizations throughout the world.

At the Aldgate subway station, initial reports said at least 90 people had been injured, Sky News said. London police told CNN there had been two fatalities. Other reports put the death toll as high as 20.

The city's subway system was shut down, the BBC said.

One witness said there was a huge flash on his train that covered everyone in soot. The train jolted to a stop and people used umbrellas to smash windows to escape.

The blasts came a day after London was awarded the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Source: United Press International

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