A press conference has been given today by police and the London Underground to provide an update following Thursday's explosions. Present were Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brian Paddick, British Transport Police Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter and Managing Director London Underground Tim O'Toole. A further briefing on the investigation was given by Detective Superintendent Jim Dickie from the Metropolitan Police.
Andy Trotter said that today the investigation and forensic examination continued at the four sites of the explosions. Search teams are still trying to recover bodies trapped underground on the Piccadilly Line train at Russell Square, which has proved difficult and will take more time. He said the conditions are hot, dusty and dangerous and it is impossible to say how many bodies still need to be brought out. Andy Trotter said the investigation was meticulous but would be carried out with proper dignity and respect.
Jim Dickie said that the recovery of bodies and identification of those who had died was both complex and harrowing. Many people had suffered extensive injuries and it could take longer formally identify these victims.
Brian Paddick said that family liaison officers from around the UK were working to support family and friends and a 24-hour family assistance centre has been established as a point of contact for them.
He said the Met's Casualty Bureau had received 120,000 calls since Thursday from relatives and friends concerned about loved ones who may have been caught in the blasts. He urged people who had reported loved ones missing but has since been reunited to contact the Casualty Bureau again so police could account for them. Casualty Bureau can be contacted on 0870 1566 344 or 020 7158 0010 .
Police were able to confirm that the three explosions on the Underground occurred at around 8.50am, all within 50 seconds of each other. The bomb on the bus at Tavistock Place exploded at around 9.47am. These timings are supported by software used by London Underground to monitor the lines.
Brian Paddick said that all avenues of investigation were open and police were working with a team of officers from Madrid following the recent bombing there. Detectives were also reviewing hours of closed circuit TV footage to identify suspects.
Andy Trotter said that the police need the public's help to report any suspicious activity. The Anti-Terrorist Hotline is 0800 789 321 .
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