February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Tributes, condolences and unity poured in from all corners of the world Thursday afternoon as word of the tragedy spread.
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern was in Vatican City for a papal visit when word came.
Pope Benedict XVI called the attacks ‘barbaric acts against humanity,’ and said in a telegram to Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, archbishop of Westminster, that he was praying for families of the victims.
The Taoiseach said that “after yesterday’s outpouring of great joy, today is a tragic and difficult day for London. This is an appalling outrage which I condemn in the strongest possible terms.
” Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of London and all those affected by these terrible deeds. I have sent a message of sympathy and support to Prime Minister Blair.
Prime Minister Tony Blair left the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, to return to London. He said it was “reasonably clear” that the explosions had been an act of terrorism. He added that it seemed timed to coincide with the G8 summit.
A double-decker bus, the number 30, was ripped apart at Tavistock Square. Three Underground stations were also affected.
Britain’s Home Secretary Charles Clarke said the morning rush-hour blasts occurred between Aldgate East and Liverpool Street tube stations, between Russell Square and King’s Cross tube stations, and at Edgware Road tube station.
All service has been suspended until tomorrow and bus services in central London have been halted.
There were reports of people being led out of subway stations, and hospitals were reporting hundreds of injured.
London, which was awarded the 2012 Olympics on Wednesday, also had its cell phone network jammed.
In the aftermath of the bombings the Irish government?s Department of Foreign Affairs set up special phone-lines for Irish people worried about friends and relatives.
The Irish embassy in London set up its own emergency center to assist any Irish citizens affected by the blasts.
A group calling itself the Secret Al Qaeda Jihad Organization in Europe has claimed responsibility for the act, though nothing has been confirmed.
Identities of the dead and injured have not been released.