The Cable News Network (CNN) reported that United States law enforcement sources said they had learned from the British government that at least 40 people died in the bomb attacks. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) qouted police as saying that at least 33 people had died. The BBC also qouted emergency services as saying that at least 45 people were seriously injured while 300 others were slightly wounded.

Officials had suggested earlier there were many casualties, including seriously injured people, who could have died later.

In a major development, the respected German Magazine Der Spiegel reported on its website that a letter posted on a website frequently used by the al-Qaeda terrorist network claims the "Secret Organization of al-Qaeda in Europe" is responsible for the massive blasts. In it, the group also issued warnings of terrorist attacks unless they stop supporting the US-led operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Spiegel Online said.

ANALYSTS NOT SUPRISED  

Analysts had earlier warned that the attacks appeared to be the work of al-Qaeda as at least six blasts rocked the London underground railway system and also tore open at least one packed double-decker bus in nearly simultaneous explosions during Thursday’s morning rush hour.

Explosions are known to have happened on the London Underground at Aldgate East, Edgware Road, King's Cross, Liverpool Street, Russell Square and Moorgate, several sources said.

"Rejoice, community of Muslims," the letter on the al-Qaeda related website reportedly said after the news of the attacks. "The heroic mujahedeens today conducted an attack in London. All of Great Britain is now shaken and shocked, in the north, the south, west and east." It added. "We've warned the British government and the British people time and again. We've kept our promise and have carried out a blessed military operation."

DENMARK, ITALY WARNED

The letter also continues to "warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all other crusader governments. We demand that all countries pull their troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq, states the letter, which has been signed by the "Secret Organization -- al Qaeda in Europe."

The authenticity of the document could not be immediately confirmed. But in recent months, authentic bulletins and claims of responsibility from different terrorist groups, including the Iraqi al-Qaeda affiliate, have been posted to the "al-Qala'a" Web site where today's posting was found, Spiegel Online said. Inauthentic material, however, has also been posted to the site in the past

As he left the G8-summit of industrialized nations in Scotland for a trip to the crippled city, British Prime Minister Tony Blair however said it was "reasonably clear there have been a series" of terrorist attacks. But he made clear the G-8 summit would continue, as none of the leaders would bow for terrorism. Church leaders meanwhile were trying to formulate statements of comfort.  

LONDON'S "GRAVE DAY"

"This is a grave day for London," said Bishop of London, Richard Chartres. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and bereaved and also with the emergency services who have responded so rapidly."

He stressed "London's clergy have been working alongside the emergency services since early this morning, Thursday, July 7. The churches close to the affected areas have been opened for shelter, aid and prayer."

In a statement released by the UK-based Christian Today newspaper, the Evangelical Alliance UK (EAUK) urged its members to pray for the families of those killed and injured by the multiple explosions in London.
 
CHRISTIANS PRAY "EARNESTLY"

"We pray earnestly for those who have suffered loss or injury today and call on God to bind up the broken hearted. I have found Psalm 46 a great comfort at this time," said EAUK's General Director Rev Joel Edwards, whose organization had earlier organized
Hope for London prayer meetings.

However the EAUK also made clear that a "spirit of peace and mercy was encouraged" and
it urged people "not to allow feelings of panic or revenge come to them," according to a statement on the Christian Today website.

All London hospitals were reportedly put on major incident alert after Thursday's explosions as they prepared to treat seriously injured people. Eye-witnesses reported seeing bodies piled in the wreckage of damaged underground trains. A bus packed with commuters later exploded in Tavistock Place, near Russell Square, several eyewitnesses and reporters said.

MANY DOCTORS ARRIVE

Ambulances from across the home counties reportedly traveled to London to help ferry the injured to hospitals.

Security was heightened around the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, and security at Buckingham Palace was stepped up Thursday, July 7 in the immediate aftermath of the blasts, British media reported. Police armed with machine guns and army personnel sealed off the Palace and cordoned off the area nearby, reporters said.

Meanwhile, the Queen was reportedly arriving at Windsor from the G8 summit in Scotland.
Financial markets reacted strongly to the news. The FTSE 100 Index plunged 160.4 points to 5069.2, reports said while Sterling was also sharply lower, with the pound weakening by almost a cent to 1.741 against the US dollar.

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