terrorist attacks in London - blog coverage - 40 dead at least

OK, it's after 1am and I've just got home after watching the terrorist attacks at a mates place. The BBC coverage was good, we realised CNN was crap after seeing a guy look into his car boot, then a couple of fire engines whizzing around the corner, not once, but repeated three other times. There's a race between the BBC and CNN to see who can out do each other with the death tally. So far the CNN appears to be on top of things with 40 dead, as is the Washington Post
Bloggers in the thick of it:
Yorkshire Ranter

from my office window, for what it's worth, I can see blue flashers, stalled traffic (well, that's hardly unusual) and an editorial floor emptying with eerie rapidity. And - for a couple of seconds - they just sounded the fire alarm. How stupid can you possibly get? Naturally, we'd be far safer in the streets - with the terrorists. I, personally, intend to stay until they shoot my desk out from underneath.

Or you could try this live blog
The Secret Organization Group of Al-Qa’idah of Jihad Organization in Europe (Jama’at al-Tanzim al-Sirri, Tanzim Qa’idat al-Jihad fi Urupa) has released this statement, translated courtesy of wikipediaIn the statement, the group claims responsibility for the London "raid".

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate, may peace be upon the cheerful one and the dauntless fighter, Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace be upon him.

O nation of Islam and nation of Arabism: Rejoice for it is time to take revenge from the British Zionist Crusader government in retaliation for the massacres Britain is committing in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The heroic mujahidin have carried out a blessed raid in London. Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern and western quarters.

We have repeatedly warned the British government and people. We have fulfilled our promise and carried out our blessed military raid in Britain after our mujahidin exerted strenuous efforts over a long period of time to ensure the success of the raid.

We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all the Crusader governments that they will be punished in the same way if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He who warns is excused.

God says: ” (O ye who believe!) If ye will aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly.”

Other blogs running coverage are Sean at Mollten where he notes that 150 people are treated in hospital as seriously injured. The Guardian blog has some good eye witness accounts and also worth checking is the London Underground blog

update
More blogs covering the attacks. Try Demlog, and surf through Blog Herald. Also check out Reaching for Lucidity blogging from Littlehampton who has some good stuff. Syntagma is also covering the attacks noting that it has been officially confirmed that there were only four explosions, three on the tube, and one on the tourist bus at Tavistock Square.

Australian Darren Rowse at the Living Room also has some good coverage, and softpedia has first hand accounts from witnesses.

That’s all for now.

update 7am one report says
23 dead at Kings Cross
9 dead at Edgware
7 dead at Aldgate
2 Dead at Russel Square

Story blogs respond to London blast
Here's s London bloggers collective

Bill Roggio has an analysis of what the attacks may mean One of the better written blogs on the attacks, this is one to visit.

This attack will be known as 7/7, just like the twin towers attack is know an as 9/11. Perhaps this site provides the best indication of who we should be looking for
And if you want to find out if any Kiwi friends and relatives are safe and well, try the NZ NZ Herald message board

And now I have to go to work. More coverage over here