London Terror ; • At Least Six Blasts Hit City in Rush-Hour• Deadly Attacks on Buses, Tube• Around 150 Serious Injuries

Terrorists were today blamed for a series of bomb blasts which ripped through the heart of London, leaving scores of casualties and fears of many fatalities.Scotland Yard said it had reports of up to 150 serious injuries – sparking speculation the casualty total, including minor injuries, could top 1,000.Unconfirmed reports shortly after lunchtime spoke of 14 bodies in the rubble but this could not be authenticated.The terror attacks began during rush- hour this morning with a series of at least six co-ordinated blasts on the Tube network. A double decker bus which was packed with people forced off the underground was also ripped apart by a massive explosion.Al-Qaida terrorists claimed responsibility for the blasts on an Islamic website and said that “Britain is burning with fear”.The unverified claim, made on the Al-Qal’ahFortress – internet site, was posted by a group calling themselves the Secret Organisation Group of Al-Qa’ida of Jihad Organisation in Europe.One of the bombs, on a bus in Tavistock Square, may have been the work of a suicide bomber – although this was not confirmed. If confirmed, it would be the first in the United Kingdom.The day of death and chaos prompted the Prime Minister to vow that the terrorists would never win.”Whatever they do it is our determination that they will never succeed in destroying what we hold dear in this country and other civilised nations in the world,” he said.Condemning the attacks as “barbaric”, Mr Blair said he would be leaving the G8 summit for London, but the summit would go on chaired by Home Secretary Jack Straw.The G8 leaders also made a joint statement condemning the attacks and said those responsible had “no respect for human life”.City of London police confirmed that at least two people were killed in the explosion at Aldgate station but added that the exact number of fatalities could not yet be confirmed.Superintendent Jon Morgan of the Metropolitan Police said there had also been a number of fatalities as well as serious casualties at Edgware Road station.It has been suggested that the terrorists’ main aim was to cause chaos in the transport system rather than inflict maximum casualties.The vice-chairman of the Northern Ireland Sports Council – who is in London following the successful bid for the Olympic Games – said the mood in the city was one of fear.Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph from the Great Russell Street Hotel, Gerry Carson said: “To be honest, I’m feeling very numb – especially after the joy and elation in London yesterday.”People are very apprehensive. Where there’s a TV there are groups of people gathered and we’re just watching the news unfold on Sky. This could be international terrorists striking an awful warning to the UK.”As the scale of the attack became clear Ministers attending the regular Thursday Cabinet meeting convened an emergency Cobra committee to deal with the crisis.London has feared a devastating terrorist “spectacular” since 191 people were killed and more than 1,500 injured in the Madrid bombings in March last year.Today’s series of multiple attacks across the capital – on the first full day of the G8 summit – bear all the hallmarks of al- Qaida’s terrifying style of terrorism.Like previous strikes, including the September 11 attacks in the US, there were almost simultaneous blasts, and like Madrid, they came on a clearly significant day.Politicians across the world spoke out to condemn the attacks.European Parliament President, Josep Borrell, said: “On behalf of the European Parliament, I want to express our condolences to all suffering consequences of these barbaric attacks. “As president of parliament and a citizen of a country that only last year experienced the horrors of such terrible attacks, I want to send a message of solidarity with British people. “We all stand with you, British people, and we will never let atrocities or terrorism defeat the values of peace and democracy.”