Multiple explosions rock London

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Near simultaneous explosions rocked the London Underground network and three buses at the morning rush hour, police said, causing fatalities and prompting officials to shut down the entire underground transport network.

In the first report of casualties, City of London police told CNN there had been two fatalities at Aldgate east station.

The explosions came a day after London was awarded the 2012 Olympics and as the G8 summit was getting underway in Scotland. Initial reports blamed a power surge, but officials were not ruling out a terrorist attack.

Explosions prompt epic emergency response

(iol.co.za) London - A huge emergency operation swung into action in London on Thursday following a series of explosions at several railway stations that caused a "large number of casualties", police said.

Reports said people with their faces covered in blood and soot emerged from Underground stations in central and north London.

Scotland Yard said the "major incident" was caused by a power surge in the Tube network during the morning rush hour.

The entire network was closed down.

Reports that two trains had collided at Edgware Road station were not immediately confirmed.

It was too early to speculate about a possible terrorist attack, police said.

Many dead as explosions tear through London

(hamhighbroadway.co.uk) There are reports of multiple deaths and walking wounded after explosions at Tube stations and on buses across north London this morning, including Kings Cross and Russell Square.

The explosions have forced the closure of the entire Underground network.

An explosion also tore through a bus in Tavistock Place, a Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed. There are unconfirmed reports of explosions on other buses.

Blasts have been reported at several major London stations, including Liverpool Street, Aldgate East, Moorgate and Edgware Road.

Scotland Yard said in a statement: "At approx 08:50 we were called to Aldgate station to assist the City of London police and British Transport Police regarding an incident on the underground system.

"All of the emergency services are on scene. This has been declared as a major incident. Too early to state what has happened at this stage.

"There have been further reports from multiple locations in London of explosions. It is too early to say what has caused these explosions.

Explosions reported on three buses
(icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk) Union sources said they had received reports of explosions on three buses in central London.

London Fire Brigade said it had been called to reports of "explosions" at a number of locations in central London, including Aldgate, Edgware Road and Tavistock Square as well as another incident at King's Cross.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said the reports of explosions in Edgware Road, King's Cross, Liverpool Street, Russell Square, Aldgate East and Moorgate were all at underground stations. She said that so far, there was only one confirmed explosion on a bus.

Paul Tripea, owner of the Russell Square Cafe, said people had rushed inside following an explosion.

"One of the security guards from a nearby hotel rushed in and said he saw the bus explode around Tavistock Square," said Mr Tripea.

"We have also heard that there is a suspect package in Russell Square.