Kiwi taken to hospital after London tube explosion

Armed police close to Parsons Green station in London after yesterday's explosion on a packed London Underground train. Photo / PA via AP

A New Zealander was among those hurt in a bombing on the London tube yesterday.

Prime Minister Bill English confirmed the Kiwi was taken to hospital following the incident on Friday morning local time (Friday evening NZ time).

"We've been advised there is one Kiwi affected, and the most recent advice I've had in the last few hours is that this person has been to hospital, has had treatment, and has been discharged," he told media in Rotorua.

"It's great news that the Kiwi caught up in this attack is not seriously injured on the face of it. Officials have yet to talk to the person themselves, but they have spoken to the family."

English said London was a place where the security and police were on high alert all the time and Kiwis who lived there knew the element of risk they took in being somewhere that had become a target.

"I think it's a place that's mastered to art of being on high alert while they go around their daily life. If this turns out to be a calculated terrorist attack of course that would have an impact on people's level on alertness in London."

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman confirmed the Prime Minister's understanding was correct.

"The New Zealand High Commission in London is providing consular assistance to the family of a New Zealander injured in the incident at Parsons Green underground station," she said.

Due to privacy considerations, the Ministry would not provide further comment.

English ruled out increasing New Zealand security levels.

"No, no, we have seen nothing like that," he said.

Several people were injured in the incident on the packed underground.

People fled in panic after a "fireball" reportedly left several passengers with facial burns.

Meanwhile, London police say they are making "good progress" in the investigation into the bombing on the packed train in Parsons Green, west London.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said today the public should be reassured and that more police and troops will be on the streets.

He said "we are only aware of one device", referring to the bomb that partially detonated yesterday on the subway train.

Rowley says "we have remnants of that device. We are chasing down suspects".

He refused to provide further details about the bomb, saying an investigation is underway.

Rowley said police are combing through closed circuit TV film and other data, seeking information on the suspected bomber and on possible accomplices.

More to come.