Thoughts and Prayers

I returned from London Monday. I walked Westminster Bridge at least 4 times a day this past week as my hotel was next to the Eye. I can't believe it. I pray for the safety of everyone.

For updates see https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/westminster-attack--news-

I'm not a prayer person but damn this is awful. I was on that bridge just a few months ago several times. This world is so sad and divided. Hoping for the best, be safe fellow travelers and locals.

Do not go to twitter, it's a bad place right now. People are sharing some awful images, and the hate is just overflowing.

I'm watching this on BBC News and what made me sick was watching a video of someone on the ground, a guy was kneeling over the victim obviously trying to help, and a another woman runs over--not to help but to take photos or video with her phone. More important to take pictures to post on Facebook or Twitter than to actually help someone. Others sadly followed to take photos.

I wish I could have reached out, grabbed those phones, and thrown them into the Thames.

Well said Frank, agreed.

Frank,

If that were my loved one lying there and someone rushed up to take a picture, it wouldn't just be their phone that got thrown in the Thames.

-- Mike Beebe

I regularly have a half day off work and head into central London on Wednesdays around midday, and if it hadn't been raining, i would have been there today.

It is not unexpected that eventually we would get hit again, but its still a shock when it happens to a place i know so well and love so much.

Prayers go to all effected today.

Praying for all affected by this senseless act :(

Nigel, and all the other forum members who may be in London, we hope you will check in with us so we know you are ok.

The BBC is doing a good update.
http://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-39355505

It is repugnant that many many people have become so engrossed with promoting themselves on social media that they think is ok to run over and take pictures of a critically injured person rather than offering comfort or help in some form. I'm sure many of them want to get attention because they were there when the incident occurred. "Oh, look at me!!!" I bet if the situation were reversed and they were the ones lying there needing help, it would then become a big deal. Shame on anyone who used this tragedy as a photo op. At the very least I would like to see the authorities confiscate those phones if they have legal grounds. That would cause those people to have to live at least for a short time without their stupid devices.

Prayers for the people of London and those affected by this terrible act.

Agreed with everyone here - put down the damn phone and help a person. Sad to see so many with predictable references to political agendas built on simplistic views of members of a certain religion. So tired, fearful and desperately in need of traveler's perspective!

Just checking in. If it hadn't been a hospital day today I would have been working into London.

Visitors should still be aware and be especially aware if in a crowded or special place.

Have been watching on the BBC since getting up this morning. Horrible!! My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone hurt by this, to the families and friends of the dead, and to the witnesses who are in shock.

Just returned March 20 from London, staying 5 minutes' walk from Parliament Square. Planning to return again and again to this wonderful city. My condolences to all affected.

We will be in London in June for five days and will not let this affect our plans. We will offer a prayer those those killed when we are near Parliament and Westminster Bridge.

I'm OK

Given the, frankly, amateurish nature of the attack (no use of a large vehicle, firearms, or explosives) I'd be surprised if the person responsible was a member of a larger gang.

On the other hand, this is the first terrorist attack in Europe that strikes me as, given the location and time, aimed very specifically at foreign tourists - there are very few actual Londoners on Westminster Bridge at that time on a weekday. If he'd wanted to attack government workers, he'd have waited until the end of office hours, and if he'd wanted to kill Londoners in a leisure location he'd have picked somewhere else.

So very sad. My thoughts and prayers go up for all involved. When I heard it, it brought flash back of the 7/7 bombings- we were in Paddington Station when one of the tube trains blew up just down the line. They are now saying 5 are dead and at least 40 with injuries serious enough to go to hospital. Such attacks are incomprehensible. Hugs and support to all the Brits!

Such a senseless act.....my heart goes out to all those affected.

Heartbreaking news... Praying for all those affected by this horrible event.

A new day dawns in London.

May those who were injured start to heal, and heal quickly.

May the pain of those who were affected start to ease, especially for those who lost a loved one.

May those who have evil and violence in their hearts reconsider.

May today find you spending the day with your loved ones.

My thoughts are with all those who were affected.

Emma, please check in!

For the photo/video fans, stay out of the way and respect the dignity of people in need of assistance.

Prayers and gratitude for all those who gave comfort and aid to the wounded.

I'd also like to add my thoughts and prayers to those affected by this heinous and senseless attack. It's hard to know what demented logic prompts people to do things like this.

Glad that our Londoners are all okay.

I hate this, as well as the goons who think that photographing to say "I was there" is the thing to do.

Grateful for the responders and thinking of the victims (both killed and hurt) and their loved ones.

I do hate also that this wall-to-wall coverage gives these idiots the attention that they seek. On the other hand, of course the loss of innocent people is to be deplored and their memory honored. But really I wish we could turn away more quickly so the perpetrators (or their remaining cohorts) don't "glory" in their "accomplishments."

Yes, Kim! All true and you have said it so beautifully. I'm going to Berlin in May for 10 days and think I will try to make a visit to one of my favorites cities, London, a part of my new, revised itinerary. I won't be giving up any portion of my overseas travel plans until I am no longer physically able to get on an airplane.

@Tom_MN, Indeed. However, hopefully we have empathy for those who have lost dear ones or who are with their family/friends as they work to recover and heal.

Well said, Kim. I was in Nice on the evening of the Bastille Day truck attack. We had just left the Promenade moments before. Quite shattering but, unfortunately, this is the world we are now living in.