British expats in UAE condemn London explosion

British expatriates in the UAE have reacted in anger following Friday morning's explosion in London, which police are calling an act of terrorism. One resident Khaleej Times spoke to said it happened on the exact train his daughter takes to work every morning.

The blast, which took place on a London underground tube at Parsons Green near Wimbledon, marks the fifth terrorism incident to hit London this year.

Though no fatalities were reported following the explosion which happened during Friday morning's rush hour, more than 20 commuters were hospitalised for burns following the attack. The previous four incidents saw 36 people killed.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, one British expat, who asked not to be named, said as soon as he heard the news he was immediately alarmed as his daughter works in London.

"My daughter actually takes that train to work every morning, but thank god this morning she wasn't on it. She went on holiday to Cyprus a couple of days ago."

Calling the situation "stressful", he said as a father he can't help but worry now for her safety.

And for Dubai-based expat Jeff Price, it was friends in France who told him about the blast.

"I was alerted to it by my very close friends in France. They were concerned for the safety of my sister, Emma. She is usually based in London but ironically, she's currently in Barcelona where there was a false alarm just two days ago."

Calling London "no stranger to attacks", Price said he was grew up there in the days of the Irish Republic Army (IRA) attacks; attacks which he bore witness too.

For 29-year-old quantity surveyor Laura Morgan, the incident is all a little too close to home for her.

"I'm not sure where to start with this. Before moving to Dubai, I commuted into central London for seven years. Sometimes I did feel vulnerable but Londoners have a great way of not letting such incidents stop what they would normally do."

With many friends still working and living in London, she said she has no doubt they will carry on living their everyday lives as normal. But for her, it does leave some doubt in her mind when she returns to the UK.

"First I feel sad and think 'maybe I won't go and get the tube home when I land at Heathrow next time, or maybe I won't make plans in London when I'm back visiting next'. But that's what they want us to think. We shouldn't be afraid to do what we want. I just feel angry that I even have to question going into my own capital city."

Although the attacks in London have been devastating and heartbreaking, Morgan said sadly, these events are happening the world over.

"This isn't just an attack on London, innocent people all over the world are being targeted."

But one expat who feels helpless is Zayna Sanjania.

"I have been following the story as soon as I heard about it. It is dreadful to say the least, because I do have family and friends in London. Being an expat, it's worse because you feel so helpless."

But London is strong she said. And like always, it will reunite and only get stronger and closer knit.

"My thoughts and prayers are with all of London's residents, and those that were hurt in this incident."

London has been targeted by terrorists several times this year. It has witnessed vehicle attacks near Parliament, on London Bridge and near a mosque in Finsbury Park in north London. As well as a rampage knife attack by several attackers during a weekend evening.

Source: Khaleej Times