Terrorism in London

Four bombs exploded in London yesterday during the morning rush-hour. Three of the bombs exploded on tube trains, and the fourth half an hour later on a bus packed with commuters. The BBC has more details on this, as does the Guardian and probably every other newsagency.

Having lived in London before coming to Japan, I've been well aware of the increased concern that a terrorist attack such as this would occur. Emergency services have been training for an event like this though I think everyone, myself included, was hoping that they'd never have to put it into practice.

But, even with this awareness, I'm in a state of shock and disbelief. If it was a single bomb, like in Ealing in 2001, I could probably cope with it by writing it off as a random event. But FOUR, in a planned attack on both the Tube and THEN the buses, it becomes difficult to comprehend.

Throughout it all, I've been very grateful for the internet. When I found out about the bombs I was on my way to Joetsu, miles away from my PC. But I was able to use my mobile and email three of my mates in London whose addresses I had in my phone. I got a reply from them quickly to say that everyone was okay. I don't think I've ever been so grateful for an email.

I rang home to make sure none of my family had gone to London (unlikely, but I had to check). Everyone was safe and my brother relayed some info he was getting from the news on TV.

I headed back in Tokamachi and stopped at Debs' flat. Her mates were fine too but we were both feeling uneasy about the bombings. We tried to find out as much as we could from the internet and from the Japanese evening news on NHK, which is broadcast in both Japanese and English. Watching the TV scared me even more. I was seeing places in London that I regularly went to turned into emergency sites. Edgware Road was where I would get teh bus back to Kilburn after footy or a night out. I used to change tubes, from Circle line to Piccadilly line, at Kings Cross whenever I went climbing. It's also where I get teh train back to Hull. Liverpool Street is the rendevous before a night out on Brick Lane. Of course I was rarely at these places during the morning rush hour, but with the amount of time I had spent at these places they had become familiar and safe. These attacks are making me question that safety.

This morning I'm still shocked. I learned that the current official death toll is 38, with around 700 people injured. All I can think about is London. It's a problem because at school the students are happy about the Ball Game Tournament and I'm finding their cheery hello's really annoying. Don't they know that the place where I lived for five years has been bombed??? Well, of course they don't, they're only students and have more important things to think about than some foreign city they may never visit. And even of they did know, what could they do about it now?

Listening to the radio this morning (again, via internet) I think a lot of Londoners are taking a similar view. From interviews and emails that were sent into the radio programme, the concensus seems to be "The bombs have happened, but we must get on with our lives. If we don't, then the terrorists win." A very stubborn attitude, but a very British attitude.