7 July 2005 London bombings

7 July 2005 London bombings

The 7 July 2005 London bombings, often referred to as 7/7, were a series of coordinated suicide bomb attacks in London, United Kingdom, targeting civilians using the public transport system during the morning rush hour. The attacks were carried out by four Islamist extremists and resulted in 52 civilian deaths and over 700 injuries.

Background

The attacks occurred in the context of the War on Terror, following the September 11 attacks in the United States and the subsequent 2003 invasion of Iraq. The United Kingdom had been on high alert for potential terrorist attacks, and the Metropolitan Police Service had been actively working to prevent such incidents.

The Attacks

On the morning of 7 July 2005, four suicide bombers detonated explosive devices on three London Underground trains and a double-decker bus.

London Underground

• At 08:50 BST, three bombs exploded within 50 seconds of each other on three different trains:

 * A train traveling between Liverpool Street and Aldgate on the Circle Line.
 * A train traveling between Russell Square and King's Cross St Pancras on the Piccadilly Line.
 * A train traveling between Edgware Road and Paddington on the Circle Line.

Double-Decker Bus

• At 09:47 BST, a fourth bomb exploded on a double-decker bus in Tavistock Square.

Perpetrators

The bombers were identified as four British men of Pakistani descent: Mohammad Sidique Khan, Shehzad Tanweer, Hasib Hussain, and Germaine Lindsay. They were motivated by extremist Islamist ideologies and had links to al-Qaeda.

Response

The immediate response involved a massive emergency services operation, with the London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, and Metropolitan Police Service working to rescue survivors and secure the affected areas. The British Transport Police and other agencies were also involved in the response.

The attacks led to a significant review of security measures in the UK, including increased surveillance and counter-terrorism efforts. The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament conducted an investigation into the attacks and the response by security services.

Impact

The bombings had a profound impact on London and the UK as a whole, leading to increased security measures and a heightened awareness of the threat of terrorism. The attacks also sparked debates about multiculturalism, radicalization, and the balance between security and civil liberties.

Also see

• Islamist terrorism
• September 11 attacks
• 2003 invasion of Iraq
• War on Terror
• Counter-terrorism