Ministry seeks news of Latvians in London blasts

It is not yet known if any Latvian citizens are among the more than 30 people killed and at least 700 injured July 7 in a series of bomb blasts in several central London underground stations and one double-decker bus, according to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

British authorities and hospital officials have not yet released the identities of those killed or hurt in the coordinated blasts, which appear to be the work of terrorists. News media have reported that an al-Qaeda group in Europe, in a statement on its Web site, took responsibility for the attacks.

The bomb blasts occurred during the commuter rush hour.

The Latvian Foreign Ministry has asked those who know of persons who could have been in the blast areas and whose whereabouts remain unknown to telephone the ministry in Rīga at +371 7016364 (during local work hours) or +371 9287398 (at any time). The ministry, in an announcement on its Web site, said that about 50 calls had been received so far.

The same information may be provided to British officials in London by call the emergency hotline number at +44 870 156 63 44.

Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, in a letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, condemned the attacks and offered the nation’s sympathy, according to the president’s press office.

Andris Straumanis is a special correspondent for and a co-founder of Latvians Online. From 2000–2012 he was editor of the website.

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