Londoners offer flowers, tears for US victims

LONDON - Many of them came in tears, clutching their lilies and roses, as a small traffic island in the centre of London became Britain's impromptu shrine to the dead of America.

In front of the United States Embassy, where the Stars and Stripes flew at half-mast, dozens avoided the taxis to cross the road and leave their tributes behind crowd barriers, underneath a single maple tree.

Americans trying to get home from business trips and holidays said they had been told by embassy officials they could not expect to get flights for a week and had come to seek solace with their compatriots. They were joined by many Britons: City workers with colleagues in the US, couples comforting each other. "I served alongside the American forces. I remember in the war they came to our assistance," said Ray Gardiner, aged 72. "I think we should give the Americans every bit of support that we can."

An extra 1000 officers were on duty on the streets of London yesterday as security was stepped up at likely terrorist targets. Stringent checks were put in place at the Canary Wharf financial district and tower, at Heathrow Airport, and in the centre of London. Eurotunnel also increased its anti-terrorist measures and checks for bombs and weapons by 50 per cent.

Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch and the security services, MI5 and MI6, are providing the US with intelligence on Middle Eastern terror groups and will offer to send experts to the US.

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Emergency telephone numbers for friends and family of victims and survivors

These numbers are valid for calls from within New Zealand, but may be overloaded at the moment.

United Airlines: 0168 1800 932 8555

American Airlines: 0168 1800 245 0999

NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: 0800 872 111

US Embassy in Wellington (recorded info): 04 472 2068

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Air New Zealand flights affected

Air NZ flight information: 0800 737-000.