Across the five boroughs, New Yorkers who lost friends and relatives in the 9/11 terror attacks are reliving many of the horrors of that day through the words and images being transmitted from across the Atlantic.
British officials say at least 37 people were killed and some 700 more were injured in what Prime Minister Tony Blair called "an apparent terrorist attack," but so far, British security forces have received no credible claims of responsibility.
The near-simultaneous explosions happened just before 9 a.m. London time, with at least three detonations in the Underground subway system in Central London and another aboard a double-decker bus. Police say they have found traces of explosives near some of the blasts.
Although the attacks caused major transportation disruptions in Central London, authorities say all flights are operating as scheduled into and out of Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester airports, including flights to and from New York City.
In New York, the NYPD has beefed up police presence on subways, buses, ferry terminals, river crossings, and in transit stations in response to the attack. Police officers are inspecting all subway trains, and there is increased K-9 patrols to help protect the nearly 4.5 million passengers who use New York's subways every day.
The NYPD also increased security drills below ground, hitting specific high-profile subway stops, including Bowling Green, with what they call a "surge," where they rapidly increase police presence to search an area.
Motorists are also seeing tighter security at all bridges and tunnels. No trucks are being allowed on the Williamsburg Bridge, and officials are also setting up security checkpoints in Lower Manhattan.
In addition, NYPD harbor units and U.S. Coast Guard boats are escorting Staten Island Ferry boats. More patrols have also been posted at the Whitehall Street and the St. George Ferry Terminals, and helicopters and heavily armed NYPD Hercules teams have been deployed to patrol the skies.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who briefed reporters Thursday afternoon in Grand Central Station, says that the heavy police presence will remain at least through the Friday morning rush.
At the time of the attacks, Bloomberg was on his way back to New York City from Singapore, where the International Olympic Committee had just awarded the 2012 Olympic Games to London over four other cities, including New York.
Meanwhile, some New Yorkers wishing to express their condolences headed to the British Consulate in Midtown on Thursday but were turned away for security reasons. A few people tried to leave flowers in front of the building, but security guards removed them because they didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention to the building.
Commissioner Kelly says there will be an increased police presence around the consulate building until further notice.
