Bombs in London, Again.

Reports are coming in of more bombs in London. So far, three on the tube and one on a bus. No casualties reported as yet and it looks like at least some of them were detonators going off, not full bombs. There is a report that one was a nail bomb.

Others posting:

Perfect.co.uk

Europhobia.

Andew Ian Dodge.

Sky news (on TV, not online) is reporting that the bus at Shepherd’s Bush is a device, that is that there is a package on the bus, not that something has exploded.

Also, that at least one of the tube bombs, the train was at the station with doors open, a rucksack is thrown in ("with a sound like a champagne bottle breaking") followed by a flash and bang. The perpetrator ran away although several people tried to stop him.

Sky reports again that armed police have just entered a London hospital. Which one and why? more when we know. University College Hospital....which is close to Warren Street, one of the tube stations attacked.

The BBC report. Minor incidents with detonators only, although the above about the bus is incorrect. The driver reports that he heard a bang upstairs and went up to see and found the windows blown open. No injuries as far as we know (don’t even know if there was anyone on the upper part of the bus.)

Dearieme asks whether this might be some journos wanting to prove how bad security is. Don’t think so somehow, really don’t think they would go this far.

However, there might be reason to think that it’s not the same group as before (yes, yes, I know, the actual people from last time are dead).  Three tubes and a bus, yes, the same, but no suicide bombers. That’s very different.

Makes me wonder. Perhaps the guys last time round weren’t willing suicide bombers? Hhhm? Fooled by the timers or some such? This time round the bomb carriers were a little wiser about that idea?

OK, if that’s too conspirazoid, how about this. This is another group, deliberately bombing on a Thursday, same tube and bus idea, but with two major differences.

1) No suicides.

2) Crappy bombs.

One interesting thing this time round is that there are at least four live suspects who, if caught, can actually tell us what they were doing. 

Perfect quote on Sky News.

He told me he had seen a man carrying a rucksack which suddenly exploded. It was a minor explosion but enough to blow open his rucksack. Everyone rushed from the carriage. People evacuated very quickly. There was no panic.

"I didn't see anyone injured but there was shock and fright.

"There was a smell of smoke."

"The man who was holding the rucksack looked extremely dismayed."

Dismayed? British understatement is alive and well then.

As Nosemonkey says:

Looks like there are 3 or 4 suspects on the loose. No descriptions as of yet. The ones from Warren Street and Oval apparently fled out of the main station entrances, so will be on CCTV and won't get far. Fucking amateurs! What the pissing hell is the point, exactly? Paltry little explosions, don't even kill yourselves, and do it in the most heavily-filmed city in the world, where CCTV cameras cover pretty much every inch? What the hell are they playing at?

Unless there’s a lot more happening at UC Hospital, I don’t think there’s much more to say about this. They’re on CCTV, they’ll be found and they’ll have to explain themselves.

I’ll have a go at a possible explanation. No, this isn’t al Q, they haven’t shown themselves to be afraid of dying as yet. But obviously it’s someone, right?

Have you noticed how there has not been an outpouring of hatred and violence against Muslims following the first bombs? We haven’t descended into a police state where minorities tremble in fear at the passing of a police car?

Who would like it if that situation were different? Who would like to whip up racial and religious hatred in the UK? Which group can we think of, one that is most definitely known for non-suicide bombings? Who might be dim enough to think they could get away with something like this, hhm? Create the hatred they desire to further their cause ....

I have a feeling (based on no evidence at all of course) that we might find the sticky little fingers of the far right all over this one. I don’t claim it to be true, just offer it as a possibility at 2.50 pm this Thursday afternoon.

I would guess that we’ll know a great deal more when they’ve looked at the CCTV tapes.

15.05. Sky News is reporting that the police at University College Hospital are looking for a black or asian man, 6 ft tall plus, wearing a blue top with a hole in it, wires trailing from the hole. Hhhm, that could well put paid to my far right thoughts then eh?

15.30. Asian guy arrested at end of Downing Street. No evidence at all that he was anything to do with bombs.

15.55. Tony Blair in his speech says he doesn’t want to talk about, give information on, those the police have apprehended. But the police haven’t announced anyone except that fool above who was by Downing Street. What’s he talking about?

Two suspects in custody. OK, well, we’ll obviously find out soon enough what’s behind all this. One lightly injured casualty. A little old lady.

This is a nothing, a trivia.

This is worrying:

LONDON (Reuters) - England were 68-5 in reply to Australia's first innings total of 190 in the first Ashes test at Lord's on Thursday.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat on the opening day of the five-match series.

England fast bowler Steve Harmison captured five for 43 from 11.2 overs as Australia were skittled out before tea.

Australian pace bowler Glenn McGrath struck back to take all five England wickets (13-5-21-5)

Kevin Pietersen was unbeaten on 19, Geraint Jones batting on 29 after 30 overs.