I haven't heard from my cousin

[KarenInMA]

She's spending the summer in London at an internship. My aunt hasn't heard anything, and we are starting to get really worried.

I have no idea why I feel the need to tell a bunch of internet strangers this, but I do.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I believe that some of the phone service is down. Hopefully, someone

will hear from her soon.

[Catfight]

2. What company does she intern for? Maybe you can call the company?

[KarenInMA]

12. No one is picking up.

it's a small architectural firm. We think they all just left. she's in college, and just spending the summer there. She's kind of a flake, so I'm hoping she just took the day off.

:(

[ICantBelieve]

26. She probably did

There's so little chance that she was even anywhere near the attacks, let alone hurt. It's too bad you can't get to the company. I actually work at ExxonMobil (I know, I know, but it pays for my contributions to liberal causes...). They sent a note to everyone this morning that everyone in our London offices was OK and they were working on how to get them home. I'm sure this is the same kind of situation your flakey cousin is in. She's probably stuck somewhere and doesn't have her phone card with her to call from a public phone.

[Mad_Dem_X]

3. Hope you hear from her soon!

Sometimes it's easier to confide in strangers. We're here for you, Karen. :hug:

[trotsky]

4. I haven't heard from a former co-worker yet either.

But considering the disruption in transportation and communication, I am not too worried.

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. Positive thoughts.

She'll be OK. The UK goverment shut off all phone service because they were afraid the 'terrorists' would use the system to set off more bombs. She's OK and will call her mom as soon as she can. :hug: She'll be just fine. You just have to believe that.

DU is a family! We aren't strangers! ;)

[tk2kewl]

6. Hang in there. The odds are definitely in her favor and I'm sure it's

tough to get through to people.

[JuniperLea]

7. misery NEEDS company, karen

that's why you felt the need to share this.

i agree with the poster who said to try and reach the company...

holding positive thoughts; please keep us informed.

[Not_Giving_Up]

8. Phone service is jammed

So many people trying to make calls. Give it a little while. She might call you.

[Marnieworld]

9. Hang in there sweetie

You feel the need to tell us because you are worried. Sure it's text on a monitor but we are living breathing humans that you are reaching out to for comfort and that is so normal nowadays certainly here. I remember on 9/11 frantically calling several people and I didn't get through at first either but I was one of the lucky ones not to lose someone close to me that day. I remember the panic though and know what you are feeling. People all over the world are jamming up lines. Your cousin just may be having a hard time getting around from all of the problems with the transit system there right now. Stop watching TV and try and keep the faith. :hug:

[CBHagman]

10. Does she have e-mail?

Hang in there, friend. :grouphug:

Some of us have been e-mailing friends and family for confirmation of the whereabouts of same.

Let us know when she gets back to you.

[WolverineDG]

11. Most people had to walk home

It may have taken her a while to get home from work & with the phones down, she probably couldn't get through earlier today. It's about 9:30 there right now, so maybe she's just getting back to her flat & will call or email soon.

dg

[bennywhale]

13. Ring this number, its the Met's casualty no. for if you are worried about

a relative.

I'm in England so i don't know what your code is from America but here is the British end

08701566344

[maynard]

15. having the same problem

My friend's # says that her line is disconnected. I can only hope that if she goes into work tomorrow, she will answer my e-mail. Where she works and where she lives are not close to any blast sites. I still worry regardless.

[justinsb]

19. From the CBC

Foreign Affairs has set up a hotline for Canadians with strong reasons to believe their Canadian relatives might have been travelling on London transit this morning. They should have on hand the missing person's full name, date of birth and passport number before calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-606-5499.

Hope all is well, keep us posted

[tjdee]

14. Same situation here (with a relative)....

I've tried calling over there, but I'm aware there are some phone problems,etc... I'm hoping she somehow got to her mom's house, or has just been caught up in finding out how to get home, or is home but can't call, etc.

I hope your sister is fine...try not to worry too much yet.

[KarenInMA]

16. Wow. Thank you guys.

You scary internet people really do help! :hi:

We have tried most of these suggestions. Her parents are calling all of these numbers, I don't want to add to the traffic by calling myself. I remember on 9/11, cell towers were jammed for a long time. The thing is, I've never been to London, so I have no concept of what her travel might be to get to her office. I could be totally off base- she might not take those tube lines.

I just wish she'd call us.

[justinsb]

17. From the CBC

Foreign Affairs has set up a hotline for Canadians with strong reasons to believe their Canadian relatives might have been travelling on London transit this morning. They should have on hand the missing person's full name, date of birth and passport number before calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-606-5499.

Hope all is well, keep us posted

[justinsb]

18. From the CBC

Foreign Affairs has set up a hotline for Canadians with strong reasons to believe their Canadian relatives might have been travelling on London transit this morning. They should have on hand the missing person's full name, date of birth and passport number before calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-606-5499.

Hope all is well, keep us posted

[justinsb]

22. Try this

The police set up a casualty bureau number on 0870 1566344 - you may need to get help from the operator , at least you should be able to confirm that your relative is not a casualty

[tjdee]

30. Thank you!

Just tried, it's busy (to be expected I guess)....but thank you so much for the number.

[justinsb]

32. No problem

Try the Canadian number while you wait

1-800-606-5499.

It's for Canadians but they may be able to tell you who else you should call...a state dept. number maybe?

Hope everything's alright.

Peace :hi:

[AFSCME girl]

20. Hi KarenInMA...

Sending good thoughts your way...please hang in there ~ she's gonna be OK.

Welcome to DU, by the way :hi: :hug:

[CBHagman]

21. Here's a link from the Guardian.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,12780,1523306,00.html

It might give you some sense of what's actually happening on the ground.

[Lisa]

23. I'm sure she's fine

While it's natural to worry at a time like this, she may just not have been able to get to a phone, what with the disruption of service (and maybe having to get to or from work, without transit). I've got a couple of e-mails off to friends who are presently working in the London area -- I figure they'll get back to me as soon as things settle down.

I hope your cousin isn't among the injured -- but if by some unfortunate chance she's been hurt, she'd have been whisked off for excellent medical treatment, and the staff at the hospital and consulate would be doing their best for her.

If you haven't heard from her by Friday, perhaps the embassy could assist? Or the other phone #s which people here have posted (it looks like mentioning this kind of thing to strangers on the Internets can be quite helpful after all!).

[Straight Shooter]

24. Peaceful thoughts to Karen, to you, to all of Karen's family and friends.

:hug:

[Rainbowreflect]

25. I am sure she is fine, but I understand your concern.

:hug: I hope you hear from her soon.

[LeftyMom]

27. Has anyone tried text messaging her?

On another site I visit they've had good luck checking on people that way or via email, almost none with phones.

[Jacobin]

28. We are all hoping for the best

I think the phone service is disrupted, so that may well be the problem.

Our thoughts are with you.

[Jacobin]

29. We are all hoping for the best

I think the phone service is disrupted, so that may well be the problem.

Our thoughts are with you.

[LSK]

31. BBC reports that phones are not working and the commute is a nightmare

Read accounts here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/4661415.stm

[proud2BlibKansan]

33. We are still waiting to hear from my sister too

But the phone lines are down.

No news is good news. That is what I keep telling myself.

[scarletlib]

34. You need to share your worry

It's only human. We here at DU care. I pray that she is safe.

[KarenInMA]

35. She's fine!!

She's ok, wasn't effected, didn't call because she honestly didn't know that people would worry about her.

apparently, the tube line she takes to work was no where near what was hit. However, none of her immediate family has ever BEEN to London, so we wouldn't know that.

Thank you to all of you who shared good wishes. Today was very strange. I'm usually the strong one in my family, so I was cracking jokes, talking about baseball etc, trying to keep it togther. My aunt was nearly catatonic, calling everyone she could THINK of. You 0000's and 1111's are they only people to whom I admitted how scared I was.

:hug:

[tk2kewl]

36. That is fantastic!

I'm glad she is safe. :hug:

btw... you might want to post another thread saying she is ok. this one is probably buried by now with all the activity today

[AFSCME girl]

37. Great news!!

:hi: