PM shocked by London bombings, call centre set up

Prime Minister Helen Clark said she did not know of any New Zealanders injured in the bomb blasts of what now appears to be a fatal terrorist attack on London.

The High Commission had accounted for all staff.

"I should stress that as we all know there are a lot of New Zealanders in London so we will keep our fingers crossed that there isn't bad news but we do know there is a lot of Kiwis there."

Helen Clark last night expressed her deepest sympathies on behalf of all New Zealanders to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the British people.

Helen Clark told One News she had made personal contact with the New Zealand High Commission in London.

"I have asked them to convey the deep shock and sympathy and concern of the Government and people of New Zealand to the office of Tony Blair."

Prince William has cancelled his scheduled whale-watching in Kaikoura planned for today and was last night "following events closely" said a spokesman.

Pat Harrison said the Prince who has been following the Lions tour in New Zealand, was "very concerned at the news from London''. Prince William is scheduled to fly out of New Zealand on Sunday.

The Prime Minister said the New Zealand High Commission in London had set up an incident room and "they (High Commission Staff) are there to take calls from New Zealanders in London who might want to know if any one has been reported as missing."

The High Commission also remained in contact with the Metropolitan Police in London.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) public affairs director James Kember said callers should go through the main switchboard in London, on 0044-20-7930-8422.

Speaking in Wellington, Mr Kember said MFAT itself had had difficulty getting through to the High Commission, because of overloaded phones in London.

However, Deputy High Commissioner Suzanne Blumhardt had been able to brief Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Mr Kember said the High Commission had put a message on its website asking New Zealanders in London to stay put, reflecting the advice by the London Metropolitan Police.

The British Home Office estimated that there were about quarter of a million people holding New Zealand passports in the United Kingdon and Ireland, he said.

There was no requirement for New Zealanders to register with the High Commission, and only about 1000 were registered.

The Ministry had no information on whether New Zealanders were among the casualties.

MFAT late tonight established an 0800 number for calls by New Zealanders worried about friends and relatives in London.

That number is 0800 432 111.

- NZPA and NZ Herald