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The '''Deutsche(r) Wetterdienst''' (Translated from [[German language|German]] as '''German Weather Service'''), residing in [[Offenbach, Germany]] (near to [[Frankfurt, Germany]]), is a scientific agency that monitors [[weather]] and [[meteorology|meteorological]] conditions over [[Germany]] and offers weather services for the general public as well as specific services for e.g. [[nautical]], [[aviation|aviational]] or [[agriculture|agricultural]] purposes.
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{{wikinews|Explosions, 'serious incidents' occuring across London}}
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The DWDs main task is to warn against weather related dangers, as well as monitoring and rating changes in the German [[climate]]. The DWD is also responsible for running the the national clime archive and runs one of the biggest libraries worldwide that is specialized on weather and climate.
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[[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2005_London_transport_explosions&action=edit§ion=0 edit]]
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Structurally, the Deutsche Wetteramt belongs to the [[Federal ministry for Transport (Germany)|Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Bau und Stadtentwicklung]]. This establishes a close link to the German [[government]], communes, economy, industry, country and state ministries for purposes of cooperation and consulting. It's work is based on the law about the DWD ("Gesetz über den Deutschen Wetterdienst").
Currently, the DWD consists of roughly 2600 occupants. Besides the DWD central in Offenbach, there are regional centers in [[Hamburg, Germany|Hamburg]], [[Potsdam, Germany|Potsdam]], [[Leipzig, Germany|Leipzig]], [[Essen, Germany|Essen]], [[Stuttgart, Germany|Stuttgart]] and [[Munich, Germany|Munich]]. Additionally, it runs Germanys densest net of meteorological measurement points with 173 full time meteorological stations (100 of them being manned) as well as about 2400 extraordinal [[weather station|weather stations]] run by volunteering amateurs.
Within its duty of primary meteorological information, the DWD offers a free daily weather report for Germany which can be subscribed to by [[e-mail]] on there official home page (see below).
== History ==
At least seven '''explosions struck [[London]]'s [[London Underground|Underground]] railway system and buses''' on [[7 July]] [[2005]], during the height of morning rush hour.
The DWD was found in [[1952]] by joining the weather services of the western occupation zones. [[1954]] the Federal Republic of Germany joined the [[World Meteorological Organization]] (WMO). [[1975]] the ''European Center for Medium-Term Forecasts'' was founded to be able to forecast the weather up to ten days in advance. [[1990]] the DWD integrated the weather services of the [[GDR]].
Since the 1990s, the DWD continously decreased the number of manned weather stations, which resuled in substantial staff cutbacks. According to the DWD, no reduce in forcast quality is to be expected, though, since techniques like weather radar or satellites significantly improved the weather data for a large monitored area.
'''HOTLINE NUMBER: 020 7766 6020'''
The current assumption is that the explosions were caused by deliberate bombings resulting from a [[terrorist]] attack. [[Metropolitan Police Service]] Commissioner Sir [[Ian Blair]] has said that explosions were probably the result of a "major terrorist attack" but did not wish to speculate the organisation involved. The bombings came while the [[United Kingdom]] hosted the [[G8]] summit in [[Gleneagles Hotel]], [[Scotland]], a day after London [[London 2012 Olympic bid|won the bid]] to host the [[2012]] [[2012 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympic Games]], and during the trial of [[Abu Hamza al-Masri]].
== Public Services ==
The incidents led to the immediate evacuation of many [[The_Tube|tube]] stations, as well as the complete shut-down of the [[London Underground]] network. Roads near the affected stations were closed off, severely affecting road traffic. Mainline services into London stations [[London Euston|Euston]], [[Paddington Station|Paddington]], [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]] and [[Kings_Cross_railway_station|King's Cross]] are terminating outside the city. The city's bus network has been shut down in the central zone ([[Travelcard Zone 1|Zone 1]] and [[Travelcard Zone 2|Zone 2]] ).
Since [[2005]], the DWD publishes regional warnings against heat with the aim to reduce heat related fatalities. This decision was made because of the hot summer in [[2003]], when estimated 7000 people died from direct or indirect effects of the heat. Additionally it sends out sea weather reports as radio tele types and faxes. Since [[2006]], the pollen warnings can be subscribed for free on the DWD web site.
The blasts appear to have been timed to coincide with the first full day of the [[31st G8 summit]], which started yesterday evening. A response to London winning the Olympic bid is considered unlikely, as such attacks would need considerable planning and London's unexpected win was only announced the day before. The [[IOC]] has stated that the 2012 games will remain in London in spite of the attacks.
== External link ==
British [[Prime Minister]] [[Tony Blair]] has [[2005 London transport explosions Blair comments|described the attacks]] as "barbaric". ''"Our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism upon the world"'', he said. The Prime Minister will leave the G8 summit in Gleneagles and head back to London to consult with emergency services. The summit will continue in his absence and he intends to return later this evening. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4659933.stm]
{{Commonscat}}
*[http://www.dwd.de/en/en.htm Official site]
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==Incidents==
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Explosions were reported at six [[London Underground]] stations in central [[London]], specifically [[Aldgate East tube station|Aldgate East]] (at 08:49 local time (07:49 [[UTC]]), in London's [[rush hour]]), [[Edgware Road tube station|Edgware Road]], [[King's Cross St. Pancras tube station|King's Cross St Pancras]], [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]], [[Old Street tube station|Old Street]] and [[Moorgate tube station|Moorgate]]. These attacks occurred at or close to London's financial district. Additionally, [[Channel 4]] has reported possible incidents at [[Marylebone station|Marylebone]] and [[South Kensington tube station|South Kensington]].
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Some reports are suggesting the number of explosions is less than first thought, with some occurring on trains between two stations and reported as explosions at both stations.
[[Category:Meteorological institutions and stations]]
An explosion occurred on a double-decker [[Buses in London|bus]] in [[Tavistock Square]] outside the [[British Medical Association|BMA]] building, ripping the roof off the top deck. Although not confirmed, there have been reports that this may have been caused by a [[suicide bomber]]. At least one fatality has been reported.
[[de:Deutscher Wetterdienst]]
Early eyewitness reports indicated that the buses in the area were full of passengers who had been turned away from the Underground stations as the railway system was shut down [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4659243.stm].
[[fr:Deutscher Wetterdienst]]
==Casualties==
[[CNN]], the [[BBC]] and [[ITV]] News have confirmed 2 fatalities at Aldgate Station. At least 90 casualties have been reported from Aldgate Station alone. All major London hospitals have been placed on alert, and are currently not accepting non-emergency casualties. 95 casualties were taken by bus to the [[Royal London Hospital]] where they are being treated; 10 are in critical condition. Many others are being treated at [[St Mary's Hospital (London)|St Mary's Hospital]], [[Paddington]]. Individuals who are wounded and walking are being treated at the scene. [[Paramedics]] have been sent down into the the tube system to search for more casualties. [[St. John Ambulance]] "was called out to assist the London Ambulance Service". [http://www.sja.org.uk/]. An eyewitness reported that they were "operating on injured people on the concourse at Liverpool Street station." [http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,12780,1523169,00.html]
Emergency services have told CNN that there are "double digit" fatalities still underground at King's Cross.
A Government spokesman is talking of 20 people dead. [http://www.itv.com/news/index_13569.html]
*Aldgate East Station
** at least 2 killed, 90 injured
*King's Cross Station
** "double digit" fatalities
* bus in [[Tavistock Square]]
** 1 killed
==Other events==
There have also been reports of an explosion on [[Houndsditch]] in the [[City of London]], near [[Liverpool Street station]]. Additional reports indicate that there have been unspecified incidents at [[Brighton]], [[Luton]], and [[Swindon]]. These stations have been closed and there has been no official confirmation of the nature of the incidents, if any actually occurred. [[BBC World]] reported that the stations had been evacuated due to "security incidents".
Local [[Brighton]] radio tells of a controlled explosion of a suspicous briefcase at approximately 12:55 PM local time in a telephone box outside of Brighton station. All London to Brighton trains have been cancelled for now.
[[Vodafone]] have reported that their [[mobile phone]] network reached capacity at about 10 AM on the day of the incident, and they were forced to initiate emergency procedures to prioritise emergency calls. Other mobile phone networks have also reported failures. London's Transport system is currently paralysed, significantly because of the complete closure of the underground system and the Zone 1 closure of the bus networks, as well as evacuation of Russell Square. The BBC has speculated that the phone system has been closed by the security services to prevent the possibility of mobile phones being used to trigger bombs. BBC reports mobile networks are running again.
{{wikinews|Financial markets react to London blasts}}
By 9:30 AM [[UTC]], the [[FTSE 100 Index]] had fallen three percent, and markets in [[Germany]] and [[France]] had fallen by more than two percent [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4659349.stm]. The [[British pound]] is, as of 12:43 PM, worth [[USD]] 1.74416, [[EUR]] 1.45636, [[JPY]] 194.963.
It was reported on CBS News that a senior Israeli official said that British police told the Israeli Embassy in London minutes before the explosions that they had received warnings of possible terror attacks in the city. [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/07/07/world/main707053.shtml]
The [[European Parliament]] held a [[Moment of silence|minute of silence]] to send their condolences to any victims of the explosions [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15855768-23109,00.html].
{{wikinews|France raises security level to red in response to London bombings}}
The [[Prime Minister of France]] [[Dominique de Villepin]] announced that France had increased its level of terror alert to red, the second-highest level, in response to the events in London [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15855781-23109,00.html].
News reports say that Subway systems in [[New York City]] and [[Washington DC]] are at a heightened state of alert, and have brought in police [[K-9]] (sniffer dogs) units trained in bomb detection.
"Owing to the current incidents unfolding across the capital, events taking place this evening in the city’s Mean Fiddler venues may be affected. Please check the website for updates." - www.meanfiddler.com
==Cause==
The certain cause is unknown at the moment, but a terrorist attack appears extremely likely. While early reports gave the possibility of a [[power surge]] in the subway power grid (which was since found to be functioning normally) the first bus explosion effectively ruled it out.
At approximately 11:10 [[UTC]] [[July 7]] [[2005]], the [[BBC News]] reported that a website known to be operated by associates of [[Al Qaeda]] has been located with a [[2005_London_transport_explosions/graphics|200 word statement]] claiming responsibility for the attacks. German Magazine Der Spiegel [http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,364121,00.html] has reported that
a group named 'Secret Organisation - al-Qaeda in Europe' has posted a claim of responsibility on the "al-Qala'a" internet forum, which has been a source for genuine claims in the past. The letter also warns other governments involved in Iraq, mentioning specifically Denmark and Italy, warning governments to leave [[2003_invasion_of_Iraq|Iraq]] and [[U.S._invasion_of_Afghanistan|Afghanistan]].
Arab sources monitoring terrorist networks have told BBC News that it is highly likely to be an Al Qaeda attack. Unconfirmed reports indicate that an [[islamism|islamist]] website has carried a statement by a European group linked to Al-Qaida which claims responsibility for the attacks.
The attacks bear similarities to last year's Madrid bombings and suggest an attack in the style of al-Qaeda, security analysts said.
The London [[Metropolitan Police]] Chief, Sir [[Ian Blair]], stated that he believed that the explosions were "probably a major terrorist attack". He also indicated that police had found indications of explosives at one of the seven blast sites [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15855763-23109,00.html].
==Warning==
An Israeli Foreign Ministry official initially reported that British Police had phoned and warned the [[Israel|Israeli]] embassy of a possible terrorist attack in the city minutes before the bomb blasts ocurred, however this has been denied in a later statement by Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom.[http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5124244,00.html] The Israeli [[Finance Minister]], [[Benjamin_Netanyahu|Benjamin Netanyahu]] had planned on attending an economic conference in a hotel near one of the blasts and decided against attending after receiving the warning.
==Official statements==
===British Prime Minister Tony Blair===
[[Tony Blair]] spoke live from [[Gleneagles Hotel]], [[Scotland]] where the [[G8]] summit is being held.
:"I am just going to make a short statement to you on the terrible events that have happened in London earlier today, and I hope you understand that at the present time we are still trying to establish exactly what has happened, and there is a limit to what information I can give you, and I will simply try and tell you the information as best I can at the moment.</i>
:It is reasonably clear that there have been a series of terrorist attacks in London. There are obviously casualties, both people that have died and people seriously injured, and our thoughts and prayers of course are with the victims and their families.</i>
:It is my intention to leave the G8 within the next couple of hours and go down to London and get a report, face-to-face, with the police, and the emergency services and the Ministers that have been dealing with this, and then to return later this evening. It is the will of all the leaders at the G8 however that the meeting should continue in my absence, that we should continue to discuss the issues that we were going to discuss, and reach the conclusions which we were going to reach. Each of the countries round that table have some experience of the effects of terrorism and all the leaders, as they will indicate a little bit later, share our complete resolution to defeat this terrorism.</i>
:It is particularly barbaric that this has happened on a day when people are meeting to try to help the problems of poverty in Africa, and the long term problems of climate change and the environment. Just as it is reasonably clear that this is a terrorist attack, or a series of terrorist attacks, it is also reasonably clear that it is designed and aimed to coincide with the opening of the G8. There will be time to talk later about this.</i>
:It is important however that those engaged in terrorism realise that our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism on the world. Whatever they do, it is our determination that they will never succeed in destroying what we hold dear in this country and in other civilised nations throughout the world</i>"
==Other Response==
The website of [[Scotland Yard]] (also known as [[Metropolitan Police Service]]) urges people not to enter London, and to limit their usage of public transportation
[http://www.met.police.uk/ Metropolitan Police Service]
:The London Underground system has been suspended however the Network Rail system is still in operation. We would urge anyone who doesn’t need to come into London today not to do so. If you are already in London wherever possible please limit travelling around the capital.
==Economic impact==
[[World economy|Economic]] impacts have already taken effect as a result of the London explosions. The [[British currency]] fell to a 19-month low. Many [[stock market]]s are expected to drop in value.
==Updates==
All times are in [[British Summer Time|British Summer Time (BST)]] which is
1 hour ahead of [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]].
*12:05: Police say traces of explosive found at one site
*12:13: BBC say people still trapped at Kings Cross
*12:55: [[Home Secretary]] [[Charles Clarke]] gives statement to [[House of Commons|the Commons]].
*13:10: BBC say that Edgware Road station is now clear of casualties.
==Infrastructure and Transport status==
* The [[London Underground]] network is completely shut down, and will remain shut for the rest of the day [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/].
* Roads near the affected stations are closed off, severely affecting road traffic.
* Mainline services into London stations [[London Euston|Euston]], [[Paddington Station|Paddington]], [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]] and [[Kings_Cross_railway_station|King's Cross]] are terminating outside the city [http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/london_underground.html].
* The city's bus network has been shut down in the central zone ([[Travelcard Zone 1|Zone 1]]).
* The [[Gatwick Express]] is not running
* The [[Heathrow Express]] is not running
* The [[Docklands Light Railway]] is not running
* [[National Express]] has suspended [[coach]] services in and out of London.
* [[London Rail]] is still partly operational
* [[Thames Clipper]]s are providing free travel [http://www.thamesclippers.com/]
==Contact numbers==
[[British Transport Police]] have set up a telephone number for those concerned about a friend or relative. The telephone number is (020) 8358 0101 (+44 20 8358 0101 from outside the UK).
Concerned relatives in countries outside the UK that might have family members involved in the incident can contact the foreign affairs office in their respective country. See the [[list of Foreign Ministry contact details]].
==See also==
*[[September 11, 2001 attacks]]
*[[11 March 2004 Madrid attacks]]
==External links and references==
*[http://news.google.com/nwshp?hl=en&gl=us&ncl=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200507071601.htm&scoring=d Google News] - A collection of news regarding the blasts
*[http://joaop.no.sapo.pt/london_map.html Google Maps] - Locations of confirmed blasts.
*[http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ Transport for London Website] - Current status of London transport
'''News articles'''
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2005/london_explosions/default.stm London Explosions] - BBC News In Depth page
*[http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1188265,00.html 'Bombs' injure dozens] – Sky News
*[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/07/07/london.tube/index.html Multiple explosions rock London] — CNN
*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/transport/Story/0,2763,1523084,00.html Many hurt as blasts rock London] — The Guardian
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4659331.stm London blasts: At a glance] — BBC News: Timeline of events so far
*[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/07/07/london.timeline/ Timeline of London blasts] - CNN
*[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1684294,00.html London blast: survivors' tales] - The Times
'''Live streams'''
*[mms://wmlive.bbc.net.uk/wms/news/now3_bb_s1 Windows Media Stream]- BBC
*[http://www.phoenix.de/sixcms/detail.php?template=d_ph_livestream_popup&format=4&transfer=2 Phoenix Stream]- Phoenix.de
*[http://www.abc.net.au/streaming/newsradio.asx ABC (Windows media)] Australian Broadcasting Corporation
*[http://www7.nrk.no/nrkplayer/default.aspx?klipp_id=96941 Norsk Rikskringkasting live stream] (Norwegian)
'''Photographs'''
*[http://www.flickr.com/groups/74918957@N00/pool/ London Bomb Blasts] - [[Flickr]] Photoset
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[[pl:Eksplozje w Londynie, 2005]]
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[[Category:London history]][[Category:Terrorist incidents in 2005]][[Category:2005]]
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