By Tyna-Minet Ernst
Terrorists attacked the London transit system again Thursday, in a similar but less deadly strike, just two weeks after bombs tore through the underground.
Four bombs ? three on the Underground, one on a double-decker bus ? detonated shortly after noon London time, but did not explode. Unlike the last attacks, in which more than 50 people were killed and 700 injured, only one person was reported injured.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ian Blair said in a statement released Thursday morning that the bombs appeared to be smaller and may provide a ?significant breakthrough? from forensic material at the sites.
?We know that we have four explosions or attempts of explosions, and it is still unclear as to what happened,? Blair said in the statement.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said, during a press conference, he didn?t know much about the attacks but wouldn?t want to minimize the situation.
“I think all I”d like to say is this, that we know why these things are done, they”re done to scare people and to frighten them, to make them anxious and worried,” he said.
The prime minister said the way to defeat the terrorists is through increasing security measures and going after the terrorist?s ideas or ideology by showing the values of freedom, tolerance and respect for people as the best way to respond.
Security has increased worldwide to help prevent terrorism over the past few years. BYU political science professor Darren Hawkins said these new attacks would not make a difference because the United States and Britain are already doing all they can. If terrorists are going to attack they will, he said.
?It seems like our societies need to develop a resiliency,? Hawkins said. ?To take a hit and keep going, which is exactly what Britain?s been doing.?
Prime Minister Blair said it is important to respond to the attacks by ?keeping to our normal lives and doing what we want to do.? Otherwise, he said the terrorists would be given a sense of accomplishment.
President Bush said, during a speech on trade Thursday morning, the United States will stay on the offensive to fight terrorists in their own lands. He also said the terrorists kill in cold blood because they know it will end up on TV, and they are trying to ?shake our will.?
?They don”t understand our country, though,? Bush said. ?They don”t understand that when it comes to the defense of universal freedoms, this country won”t be frightened.?
The first attack was reported in London at 12:38 p.m. The next call came in at 12:45 p.m. from Warren Street Underground station. The attacks on the trains took place near the Warren Street, Shepherd?s Bush and Oval stations. The double-decker bus was on Hackney Road in east London.
Witnesses said there was a general sense of panic after people heard popping noises. The detonators exploded but did not cause the bombs to go off.
Prime Minister Blair said the intent of the terrorists was clearly to kill but they failed in their attempt. The person who was injured was reported to have been holding the bag with the bomb when the detonator went off, although officials have yet to confirm those reports.
