London tower debris fear shuts two Tube lines

(Photo: AFP)


Two London Tube lines were partly suspended on Saturday over fears that passengers could be hit by falling debris from the charred Grenfell Tower.

The Hammersmith and City Line were suspended between Edgware Road and Hammersmith amid concerns that debris could fall on to the tracks, BBC reported. 

The Circle Line was also closed partly due to the fire and partly because of planned engineering work. Transport for London (TfL) said the move had been made "at the request of the London Fire Brigade".

The fire broke out at west London's 24-storey apartment block, which contained 120 one and two-bedroom flats, early on Wednesday morning.

At least 30 people were confirmed dead and about 70 were reported to be missing, BBC said.

A sign at Ladbroke Grove station said "owing to the safety of the Tower" the lines had been partly suspended. The London Fire Brigade confirmed it had requested the lines be temporarily closed because of a "short-term risk of some debris falling on to the tracks".

A spokesman said teams were working to secure the debris so the lines could be reopened as soon as possible.