Explosives-Packed Car Defused in London

[smelter]

This could have been horrific!

A British police officer stands at the cordoned off junction of Coventry Street and Haymarket in central London as police officers investigate a "potentially viable explosive device" Friday June 29, 2007. Explosives officers on Friday dealt with a suspected bomb in a vehicle parked near Picadilly Circus in central London, making it "safe," police said. (AP Photo/Clara Molden/PA Wire)


Explosives-Packed Car Defused in London
By D'ARCY DORAN and DAVID STRINGER, Associated Press Writers
51 minutes ago

LONDON - Police thwarted an apparent terror attack early Friday after an ambulance crew reported seeing a smoking car parked near Piccadilly Circus that turned out to be packed with gasoline, nails, gas cylinders, and a detonator.

The explosives _ safely defused by a bomb squad _ were powerful enough to have caused "significant injury or loss of life" _ possibly killing hundreds, British anti-terror police chief Peter Clarke said.

"Forensic staff are still examining the device, but once we know more about it, we'll know more about what type of individuals are behind this," a British security official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information.

Officers were called to The Haymarket, near Piccadilly Circus, after an ambulance crew _ responding to a call just before 1:30 a.m. about an injury at a nearby nightclub _ noticed smoke coming from the car, Clarke said.

A bomb squad was called to the scene, and manually disabled the bomb.

Early photographs of the silver Mercedes showed a canister, bearing the words "patio gas," indicating it was propane gas, next to the car. The back door was open with blankets spilling out.

Clarke said police would examine footage from closed-circuit TV cameras in the area.

The area _ packed with restaurants, bars, a cinema complex and theaters _ was busy and buzzing at that hour. Haymarket links Piccadilly Circus to the north to the Pall Mall at its southern end.

The security official said Britain's domestic spy agency MI5 also would examine possible connections between the bomb attempt and at least two similar foiled plots _ including a planned attack on a West End nightclub in 2004 and a thwarted attempt to use limousines packed with gas canisters to attack targets in London and New York.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who took office on Wednesday, said the incident was a reminder that Britain faces a serious and continuous threat of terrorist attacks and that people should be alert.

"I will stress to the Cabinet that the vigilance must be maintained over the next few days," Brown said.

The attempted bombing comes just days after Brown succeeded Tony Blair as prime minister, and a week before the second anniversary of the deadly July 7 London bombings.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

[Andreus]

if its al queda its just beginning

they always attack in three to five timed and coordinated explosions

the day will bear it out i guess

 

[Lostlover]

Isn't someone going to blame Bush?

 

[star-warrior]

I just read that on the BBC news site. Kinda scary as my sisters go through there. I hope whoever did it will be caught.

 

[levenshulme31]

^ Did WHAT? The found a tank of "patio gas," not a fucking atomic bomb!

Er, the tank of patio gas was in a car next to a bomb, packed with nails, 60 litres of petrol and was parked outside a nightclub. You are correct that it wasn't an atomic bomb. However, the rest of your point seems to me to be a bit fucking silly. Whoever drove the car is now wanted for leaving a big fucking carbomb outside a city centre nightclub. That's what he did.

Assuming this turns out to be the work of islamist terrorists, then, wrong as it clearly is, they will try to rationalise it as a legitimate act of war/resistance against British and American actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and the war on terror in general.

While I utterly condemn these actions and believe those who have twisted Isalm to these extremes are deluded, psychotic cunts, I could say the same of (the now happily departed) Blair and Bush, and suggest that the rule of "as ye sow, so shall ye reap" appears to be in play. Karma can be a bitch when you start illegal wars, torture and kill people by the tens of thousands.

 

[levenshulme31]

^ couldn't agree more with that. The coverage today has been ridiculous. Unfortunately that's the nature of 24 hour news channels. I am always amazed how they manage to stretch out a story like this over hour after hour of pointless speculation and repetirion. Just tell me the fucking story and move on to another story!

I still disagree with your previous post dismissing this attempted bombing as nothing. It would be as trite as saying your 9/11 was not worthy of the coverage that got, I mean 3000 dead? What's that? 3 months worth of road traffic fatalities? Why the fuss?

 

[SoulSearcher]

Something like 50 cyclists were killed in Manhattan last year. One hundred pedestrians were struck by vehicles and killed. Three people fell onto the subway tracks and died. Now, did everyone stop riding a bike, walking, or taking the subway? No, everyone pretty much thanked God it wasn't them and got on with their daily affairs.

Point being, this is how life will be for a while, there will be awful and violent acts committed in our cities. But does that mean this warrants "special reports" and world-wide media coverage? I don't think it does, I think this saturation of "Be Afraid" damages people, it makes people more willing to surrender their rights because, after all, there might have been a nail bomb in far-away England. It is this sort of fear-seizure, this pussificiation of the populace that does the terrorists' and the sicko governments' work for them. Just go about your bidness, that's all, just go about your bidness and don't worry so fucking much, America.

I wish people would be as shocked about what happens everyday in Iraq as they are at this. I think this sensational journalism somehow makes it easier for the general public and politicians to justify the maiming and killing of the "enemy", no wonder we hardly hear a peep from any major public figure concerning the Iraqi civilian dead.

I hope the British citizens would be smarter than citizens of some other states, to understand that when their leader decided to take part in dropping bombs on another nation that was not an aggressor, despite the fact that majority of the Brits were against the war right from the beginning, that these instances will not be out of the ordinary. Terrorism doesn't grow in a vacuum, we can't go around imposing our will on people and expect no concequences. I wish instead of crying "terrorism, terrorism, terrorism", people would start thinking "policy, policy, policy".

And I'm not discounting public fear, I had read the report and it did give me chills. But there are thousands of children who may not look like our children as far as skin color goes, but they are also scared everyday.

 

[JayHawk]

Something like 50 cyclists were killed in Manhattan last year. One hundred pedestrians were struck by vehicles and killed. Three people fell onto the subway tracks and died. Now, did everyone stop riding a bike, walking, or taking the subway? No, everyone pretty much thanked God it wasn't them and got on with their daily affairs.

Point being, this is how life will be for a while, there will be awful and violent acts committed in our cities. But does that mean this warrants "special reports" and world-wide media coverage? I don't think it does, I think this saturation of "Be Afraid" damages people, it makes people more willing to surrender their rights because, after all, there might have been a nail bomb in far-away England. It is this sort of fear-seizure, this pussificiation of the populace that does the terrorists' and the sicko governments' work for them. Just go about your bidness, that's all, just go about your bidness and don't worry so fucking much, America.

READ:
ATTACKS on our people in our cities are ok. COuld you get Hillary to add that to her platform so we can get the lib position down correctly. Something along the lines of Security is not what we do will work.

 

[unclaimedblessing]

Maybe I missed the news articles, but does it seem that the IRA, ETA and other terrorist groups have cooled their jets since the international condemnation after 9/11?.
I don't think we should cower in corners or swallow this administrations admonitions about the "War on Terror" but articles like this one serve to remind us to keep on our toes.
The last several botched attacks were uncovered by ordinary, attentive citizens.

 

[JayHawk]

Jesus I was told by my BF that the bomb was found in a area that may see the Gay Pride celebration so I jump on JUB instead of anywhere else because I know I will see a link. SUre enough there is one and alos some frothy ignorant statements about how political it is being treated by the media and that it is no big deal we should just accpet it. Let me say once and fore-fucking-ever if they are bombing some portion of anywhere please put it on the news till I hear about it. Thanks

Media Bias-----errr ummm ----BULLSHIT

To use a oft quoted and overused saying by a JUB-ette of ours

WHy dont you go to North Korea where they have no fucking choice or security

Jeesh

anyways they found a second vehicle that had been towed for illegal parking and it had bombmaterials inside so maybe it is getting closer to Andreus's requirement for it to be Al Quaida.

Maybe it is simply a hate group that was targeting the GBLT community. The next day was the pride parade.

Car Bomb Unnerves London Day Before Gay Pride Parade

Of course considering the proximity to 7/7 this could just be a anniversary attack.

SO many questions.

Know the kewl part?

London is covered in a CC camera network that makes investigations quite a bit easier. Heres hoping their adherance to Orwellian theories result in some more caged idiots.

 

[naked gent]

Mazda I think its more likely this was meant as a greeting to the brits new PM.

 

[naked gent]

After 9-11 republicans told us the answer was to invade countries and to go on offence.

Dems, like Kerry in 04, were ridiculed for saying this was a law enforcement matter.

Well it sure seems whenever one of these plots is thwarted law enforcement employees are the ones standing there.

No disrespect to the military but this isn't a job for them.

And no I don't feel the need to invade Iran today.

 

[JayHawk]

Hey sweety I have a blue moon in one hand and a computer on my couch here, I am far from agitated. Just amazed at the response.

Speakin of our friends in Britain
DId you guys know:
- They can arrest people and jail them for 28 days with only 'reasonable suspicion'
- They can wire tap phones
- They can enter homes
- They video everything everywhere

Yet we have violated rights by invoking the same measures that a country that has been racked by terrorism for years on end has survived with. A country we look to as civilized, representative and free. Very Very strange methinks

 

[naked gent]

Whats so strange about it mazda. The IRA used terror on the brits for yrs and after awhile your rights do start to slip away.

Were it that we had been subjected to as many bombings as they have perhaps I would be willing to compromise some of my rights.

But 2 attacks in 14 yrs.

Thats not enough for me to surrender some of my rights, if it is for you I guess we can conclude that I value my rights more than you value yours.

 

[Andreus]

sadly

every time a bomb is found or a plot is caught, which we all know happens rarely, the republicans run in to get as much political mileage out of the fear and terror as posible

"see? the sky really is falling !!!!"

uggh

they have become partners in fear with the terrorists

i find that disgusting

 

[JayHawk]

I don't see the sky falling but I have been in London nd I have been in NYC and Boston and Etc. I dont feel as if the state is repressing my ability to have freedom simply because they use technology to thwart crime. I never had any idea that London had such orwellian mesures in place and yet it is a nice city. Great gay culture, excellent clubs and cute mangle toothed boys. It fookin fantastic. I just dont see how it is bad.

I do cherish my liberties and rights what I dont understand is why we are as conservatives accused of crying wolf when it seems to me you are doing just the same crying wolf at technology.

 

[Andreus]

where did i complain about technology

 

[naked gent]

I do cherish my liberties and rights what I dont understand is why we are as conservatives accused of crying wolf when it seems to me you are doing just the same crying wolf at technology.

For me mazda thats really the bottom line. I'm more ascared of my goverment and what it might mutate into than I am of terrorists.

And its not just technology. Expanded or new goverment powers, goverment operating without checks because its all secret and the an expansive definition given to the word war.

If the terror threat was as the administration described it after 9-11 with terror cells spread throughout the country just waiting to be activated, striking here and there a certain erosion of rights would be justified, at least till the bad guys were stopped.

But this is more like emergency powers without the emergency.

I figure 40 yrs from now these particular terrorists will not be a problem but my goverment will still be around so thats why I'm crying wolf.

I don't like the precedent.

 

[VICTORIADON]

George DUH bahya Bush is still looking in the index of "My Pet Goat" for the location of England.

Blair is crying "You forgot about me already?"

 

[Lostlover]

I hope with this near scare that the british people can wake up and smell the coffee so the speak. Bush isn't their enemy. It's terrorist foreigners (well actually terrorist citizens since they technically have become citizens but never assimilate).

I think they should impose a immigration ban on Pakistan (I can almost guarantee these were Pakistanis or some South Asian in this failed plot). Pakistan needs to clean up their act, so why keep importing from a country that doesn't do as much as they can to fight terror?

I think one thing about America is that most immigrants generally assimilate well here in the states. Our terrorist attacks and near-terrorist attacks have all come by way of foreigners. Britain clearly needs to get their house in order and they can learn a lesson from us.

But I'm going to predict that they won't do anything. They'll keep blaming Bush and America (even though they're equally guilty in the Iraq mess). They will turn a blind eye to terrorism and still point the blame across the Atlantic. And Bush will continue to ignore them and treat them like retarded step children.

It's a vicious cycle of blindness and blissful ignorance.