[War] United Kingdom: BBC News Online

[Michael Brittain]

PM Patricia Young
United Kingdom
29 June, 2014
--------------------

BBC News
"Highly likely" Iran involved in attacks.

UK Prime Minister Patricia Young said it was "absolutely clear" there had
been a series of terrorist attacks around the world, as she spoke from
outside Downing Street.

"We will not be held to ransom by terrorists, we will find them, we
will bring them to justice," she said, after returning from chairing a
meeting of Cobra.

"I would like to express my profound condolences to those that have lost
their lives in this tragic incident. It is, without doubt, the cowardly act
of some of the most misguided and brutal people on this planet. My
condolences
go out also to those that have been effected by the bombings world wide."

"I would like to express my gratitude to the emergency services for their
diligence and bravery today, and I promise that there will be the most
intense police and security service investigation. We will not rest until
justice has been done, and those responsible pay for their crimes."

When questioned on earlier reports that Iran was behind the attacks, she
insisted she could not comment on an ongoing investigation.

The Queen said she was "deeply shocked" and sent her sympathy to those
affected.

Home Secretary Jonathon Spence said the morning rush hour blasts occurred at
Canary Wharf and that other attacks were reported in Los Angeles,
California, Washington DC, Montreal, Beijing and Sydney. The Canadian Police
also foiled a planned terrorist attack. Officials are refusing to comment,
but the BBC learns that it is "highly likely" that the attacks were
supported by Iran.

Paul Greening, of the London Ambulance Service, was outside Canary Wharf.

"At the Wharf there is a rescue operation currently underway, the main
structure appears to be holding but people are trapped in the basements," he
said.

"Although fatalities are relatively low, we are dealing with a large number
of injuries."

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brian Padgett said that 20
people had been confirmed dead, and a further 80 confirmed injured.

Nicholas Rowe, from BBC News, said an ambulance crew who had been removing
people from Canary Wharf said at least 35 people had died.

In other developments, mobile phone services across London were jammed with
all major networks reporting problems as people tried to contact relatives
and friends. British Telecom has said the emergency services were being
given priority.

Some 40 casualties were taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel,
with 26 people admitted - 13 are in theatre and another three are in
intensive care. The city's St Mary's Hospital said it was dealing with 26
injured people, including four with critical injuries and eight in a serious
condition.

Mr Padgett confirmed police were investigating a terrorist attack, but gave
no details on whether the terrorists were of Iranian origin.

But he added: "It is our belief after preliminary investigation
that it was the work of suicide bombers."

London police chief Sir Gordon Kellar urged people to stay where they were
and not to call emergency services unless it was a life-threatening
situation.

London Mayor Ken Purchase said Londoners would not be intimidated or divided
by such a "cowardly attack".

All London Underground services have been suspended indefinitely and bus
services in central London (Zone One) have been halted. All access to Canary
Wharf area has been prevented, as it is the target of an intense, ongoing
rescue operation.

Early reports had suggested a power surge could be to blame for explosions
but this was later discounted.

Describing the blast, witness Brenda Thomas said she saw an explosion rip
through the glass a few floors up.

"I was on the ground outside quite far away and heard an incredible bang, I
turned round
and half the windows had gone and the building was all open and bent along
the one side. People were on the floor everywhere, it was horrific," she
said.

MI5 has released a statement stating that the UK will remain on the highest
alert for the next 72 hours. The BBC also understands the Armed Forces have
been placed on combat readiness in preparation for 24 deployment notice, and
that all British nationals are being ordered out of Iran, including British
Embassy staff further fuelling speculation of Iranian involvement.

The Prime Minister is expected to be personally visiting local emergency
services, casualties, and the families of the deceased tomorrow and next
week.

Actions
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