2007年VOA标准英语-British Police Say Two Car Bombs Found in Londo

By Tendai Maphosa
London
29 June 2007

Hours after British police defused a bomb in an abandoned car in London's theater district, police say they have found bomb components¹ in a second vehicle in central London. Authorities say both cars contained canisters of fuel, propane, and nails, and they believe the bomb plots are linked. The incidents came hours after Britain's new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, announced his cabinet. For VOA, Tendai Maphosa has more from London.

 

The Mercedes car, where first bomb was found, is taken away from the Haymarket in Piccadilly area of central London, 29 Jun 2007

The first incident began in the early early morning hours Friday, near London's famous Piccadilly Circus. An ambulance crew near an area nightclub noticed smoke coming from an abandoned car and summoned police. Police found at least one gas cylinder² inside the vehicle, and the bomb squad³ was called in.

In a statement, London police said officers discovered what they called "a potentially viable⁴ explosive device" that they then defused.

Anti-terrorist and forensic⁵ teams closely examined the vehicle before it was removed from the scene.

Traffic was disrupted in parts of west London as investigators⁶ gathered evidence.

Gordon Brown is seen after a meeting with government's top emergency committee Cobra, 29 Jun 2007

On Friday, new Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired an emergency security meeting where the latest details were discussed.

"The first duty of a government is the security of the people and as the police and security services have said on so many occasions, we face a serious and continued security threat to our country," said Brown.

"We should allow the police to investigate this incident and then report to us. But this incident does recall the need for us to be vigilant⁷ at all times and the public to be alert at any potential incidents," he added.

Next week, Britain marks the second anniversary of July 7 2005 London transit⁸ bombings, in which four Muslim suicide bombers⁹ set off explosions that killed 52 bus and subway passengers and the bombers themselves.

1 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

2 cylinder   

n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸

参考例句：

• What's the volume of this cylinder?这个圆筒的体积有多少？
• The cylinder is getting too much gas and not enough air.汽缸里汽油太多而空气不足。

3 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

4 viable   

adj.可行的，切实可行的，能活下去的

参考例句：

• The scheme is economically viable.这个计划从经济效益来看是可行的。
• The economy of the country is not viable.这个国家经济是难以维持的。

5 forensic   

adj.法庭的，雄辩的

参考例句：

• The report included his interpretation of the forensic evidence.该报告包括他对法庭证据的诠释。
• The judge concluded the proceeding on 10:30 Am after one hour of forensic debate.经过近一个小时的法庭辩论后，法官于10时30分宣布休庭。

6 investigators   

n.调查者，审查者( investigator的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This memo could be the smoking gun that investigators have been looking for. 这份备忘录可能是调查人员一直在寻找的证据。
• The team consisted of six investigators and two secretaries. 这个团队由六个调查人员和两个秘书组成。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 vigilant   

adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的

参考例句：

• He has to learn how to remain vigilant through these long nights.他得学会如何在这漫长的黑夜里保持警觉。
• The dog kept a vigilant guard over the house.这只狗警醒地守护着这所房屋。

8 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

9 bombers   

n.轰炸机( bomber的名词复数 )；投弹手；安非他明胶囊；大麻叶香烟

参考例句：

• Enemy bombers carried out a blitz on the city. 敌军轰炸机对这座城市进行了突袭。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Royal Airforce sill remained dangerously short of bombers. 英国皇家空军仍未脱离极为缺乏轰炸机的危境。 来自《简明英汉词典》