South Africans in London chaos
8 July 2005
Although many South Africans living in London were caught up in the chaos of Thursday's bomb blasts, no SA fatalities have been reported yet. However, Foreign Affairs says two South Africans were critically injured in the blasts.
Four explosions rocked London's transit system on Thursday morning in what appeared to be a co-ordinated attack.
The British government had confirmed 37 deaths from the explosions by Friday morning, although some estimates ran higher.
Two South Africans injured
SA's department of foreign affairs says it has been advised by British authorities that two South Africans are among those injured.
A statement released by the department says the South Africans are currently in two separate hospitals in London, adding that the names of the two victims would be released once their next of kin had been informed.
Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has wished the two a speedy
recovery, and asked South African consular officers in London to visit the two victims in hospital.
The Foreign Affairs consular section in Pretoria is currently contacting family members to advise them of developments and provide them with support.
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Numbers to call
SA Dept of Foreign Affairs: +27 12 351 1000
London Metro Police: 0944 8701566344
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'Clouds of dust and smoke'
South Africans in the British capital have told of the confusion and terror that followed the attacks.
Danie Swart told The Citizen newspaper how he had to evacuate his train after the train behind him was bombed.
"We
were told a power surge had caused an explosion," Swart said. "When I looked back in the tunnel, there were clouds of dust and smoke billowing towards us."
Linky Meyer told Independent Online how she also had to evacuate the Underground.
"People swarmed out of the station like ants, pushing, screaming and fighting," Meyer said. "As we reached street level, we saw it was filled with police and firetrucks.
"No one knew what was going on."
Transport shut down
Both the Underground and the bus system were shut down as a security precaution after the explosions, forcing many Londoners to walk long distances home.
Another South African, Rowan Puttergill from Grahamstown, told the M&G online that he was in a state of shock.
"At first I wasn't sure what was happening," Puttergill said. "The tubes all stopped, the buses were all jam-packed with people. There were police cars and ambulances all over the place ... and I
started walking in to work. I only found out what was happening when I got in.
"But I can't imagine what it would have been like if someone I know was on one of those tubes or buses ... I'm now mostly concerned with how I'm going to get home tonight," he said.
Johannesburger Camilla Greene told the M&G online, "All public transport has been suspended and we have been ordered to stay at work and off the streets, which are currently filled with people in trainers beginning the mass exodus home or to hotels ... some have even bought bikes."
South African banker Brendan Byrne was one who bought a bicycle - so that he could get to hospital to see his pregnant wife. Byrne's mother-in-law told Independent Online that she went into labour late on Thursday night.
SouthAfrica.info reporter and BuaNews
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