By Sarah Bills
The death toll in London continues to climb following a series of bombings Thursday, but no BYU study abroad student or LDS missionary is among the fallen.
The three BYU directors and 40 students studying in London summer term had left the capital Thursday morning, prior to the terrorist attacks for an extended excursion in northern England, said Lynn Elliott, director of international study programs at BYU.
Even if the group had been in London they likely would not have been affected, Elliott said. The attacks targeted commuters during peak travel time and the group rarely if ever travels during morning rush hour. At that hour students would normally have been attending classes at the BYU London Centre.
The center, which is located near Kensington Gardens, is a 30-minute walk from the Edgeware Road station, the nearest bombing site.
Despite an overload that strained the mobile phone networks, BYU had been able to contact the students, most of whom had already gotten through to their parents, Elliott said.
?Like everyone were surprised and stunned, but they?re fine,? he said.
All LDS missionaries serving in the two London missions are also safe and accounted for, said Scott Trotter, a media relations spokesman for the church.
?The missionaries are in the hands of the mission presidents, and they wouldn?t put any elder or sister in danger,? Trotter said.
Currently 111 missionaries comprise the England London Mission with roughly the same number in the south mission. But, many of these missionaries live and serve outside the capital.
?We?re still trying to figure out if any members were involved and injured or not,? Trotter said.
If Sept. 11 is any indicator, it could be several days before that information is known, he said.
Those seeking information about American citizens who may have been affected by the blasts can reach the U.S. State Department toll free at 1-888-407-4747. As of yet there are no reports of Americans hurt in the bombings.