LONDON, 12 July 2005 — The human face of the tragedy of the London bombings became apparent yesterday as police formally started to reveal the identities of the first three victims. They include Susan Levy, 53-year-old mother of two boys; and Gladys Ndovu.
But as the death toll rose to 52, the anguish of grieving and worried relatives of those still missing continues. Police confirmed that 56 people are still seriously injured as a result of the injuries sustained in the bombings, and they have increased the number of Family Liaison Officers — these are trained officers to help prepare relatives and friends for the worst news — to 74.
Marie Fatayi-Williams flew in from Nigeria to find out about her son Anthony Fatayi-Williams, a 26-year-old oil executive with Amec, who is believed to have been on the No. 30 bus. The distraught mother, who spoke to reporters near the scene of the bombing in Tavistock Square echoed the plight of all mothers and those seeking to find their missing ones. “My heart is maimed. How many other mothers’ hearts are maimed at this moment? Neither the cause of God or Allah was being served by this. Terrorism is not the way. It will not beget peace. How much blood must be spilled? How many days must we cry?” she asked.
Sir Ian Blair, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, appealed to everybody to give the police time. “This is the biggest crime scene in English history. I’ve been down at the scene in Russell Square. I would like to re-emphasize the wonderful job the emergency services are doing in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. It is a dreadful scene, buts is getting under control. The identification will be painstakingly slow. But it would be dreadful if mistakes are made,” he explained.
One reason for the identification delay is that police, according to Sir Ian, “ are recovering body parts” and forensic materials. He added that the death toll will rise further “but not into three figures as reported.”
Sir Ian said that the bombings was “a pitiless example of man’s inhumanity to man. We will be implacable in our determination to find the people responsible for this atrocity.”
He revealed that the Anti-Terrorist Branch is sifting through 2,500 CCTV tapes; has received 2,000 calls from the public; and the Police Casualty Bureau have received 15,000 calls regarding victims and those still missing.
Police Chief Sir Ian Blair symbolized the stoicism and defiance of Londoners. As soon as he finished inspecting the Russell Square scene, he told reporters that he was going back to his office on the London Underground. This amidst the continuing security disruptions in the city, with the latest alert in Whitehall itself.
The Oxford Street Traders Association said that it was too soon to say what impact the bombings have had on retail trade, but it will take some time to recover. Following the bomb outrages on Thursday, London’ famous West End was almost deserted.
According to Nigel Holness, Services Director of Transport for London, some three million commuters travel on the Underground everyday. There were a fewer number of commuters this morning; and some 20 per cent fewer shoppers in Oxford Street. Travel agencies are also reporting a number of tourist cancellations.
