Fifteen years ago today, on the 7th of July 2005, domestic Islamist terrorists carried out a series of suicide bombing attacks in London.
Three bombs were detonated on underground trains, and a fourth on the top deck of a London bus.
52 people were killed, and 700 injured. The bombers also died in their own explosions.
Those killed were from 19 different countries, including Britain. Three of the bombers were British-born sons of Pakistani immigrants, one was a convert born in Jamaica.
At the time, I was living less than a 10-minute walk from where the bus was blown up. I had been on night duty, working for the Metropolitan Police, and was sleeping. I didn’t hear any of the explosions, but did hear the sirens of the emergency vehicles. Such sounds were so common in London, I paid them no attention, and went back to sleep.
Thank you for remembering on this, Pete! New i know, why we here got only a remembrance on the Srebrenica massacre, not on this too. It was much closer to us, here in Germany, and – as we will believe in the state security agencies – can every time happen again. Michael
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You are right, Michael. It could all too easily happen again, which is why it is important to remember.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I remember that, it was awful!
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Glad to hear you remember it, Peg. We have to try to keep remembering, so it cannot happen again.
Best wishes, Pete.
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So tragic and senseless.
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It was indeed.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Although I lived elsewhere in the UK, I remember it well. You’re right, the approach is different now but it’s not finished.We must not forget.
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It seems that every time people become complacent, there is another outrage.
Best wishes, Pete.
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A horrible day…..so glad there have been no others….chuq
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More attacks since of course, but less casualties.
Best wishes, Pete.
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But most after were basically the “Lone Wolf” types right? chuq
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We have had a few single attackers using vehicles and knives, and the London Bridge attack which was a group of men using knives, in 2017. 11 killed and 48 injured that time.
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There is no stopping the Lone Wolf…..they act without thought. chuq
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I am sorry to hear of it. I have been in London when there was a potential threat and everyone had to leave the subway system. That was unnerving enough.
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Yes, being on the Underground Trains is stressful enough, without having to endure incidents or attacks.
Thanks, Cindy.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Moving away from London upon retirement was a wise decision. You never know when the next attack will occur. Homegrown terrorists pose a major threat these days.
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Yes, they do indeed. Living away from the cities and large towns does offer some protection though. They have a tendency to attack large crowds, or iconic sites.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I remember this receiving pretty much 24 hour coverage over here Pete. What a horrible day.
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One of the worst in Britain in modern times, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It is sad that some people choose to do stuff like this and an entire religious community pays the price by alienation.
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Most people here understand the difference beteen fundamentalist fanatics and religious Muslims, fortunately. But some do tend to blame the religion, not the individuals.
Thanks, Shaily.
best wishes, pete.
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Thank you, Pete! Unfortunately an act if terrorism in one part of the world bring a bad name to Muslims across the world. I have seen too much of bias in India against Muslims. It is as if Indian Government is set on Ethnic Cleansing of this Secular nation. Doesn’t feel like the India I grew up in anymore.
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Unfortunately, violence is not very far away for any of us at any time. Warmest regards, Theo
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Sad but true.
Best wishes, Pete.
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very sad times. still shocking even to this day.
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It is the second largest terrorist incident in Britain, after the Lockerbie PanAm plane bomb, Wilma.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes this was such a shock at the time, nowadays I don’t think we’d be surprised overmuch.
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It was a very ‘effective’ attack of course, all timed to go off within moments of each other.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s sad to recall those ugly scenes. For some, life is not worth a dime.
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London has been a target for terror attacks for as long as I can remember, Arlene. First the IRA, then the Fundamentalists.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I remember. It was a ghastly act. The scars can never go
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It will certainly never be forgotten by those involved, and the relatives of those killed. Such a pointless act, that served to enrage and alienate many people too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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A reminder of other violent times. Every era seems to have its villains and mayhem. RIP.
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Yes, I was around for the IRA bombs when I was in the Ambulance Service. Nice to live peacefully in the countryside now.
Thanks, Margie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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We woke up to it on the news, a very sad and shocking day – after so much joy in the country the day before. Did it factor in you relocating away from the city? We stopped taking work contracts there when we were able to from then onwards 🌿
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No, it didn’t make me move away. I was there until 2012, when I retired. I worked fior the police for 7 more years, based close to Trafalgar Square.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That’s really admirable Pete. Having worked in public services, I’ve a great respect for those in the police and ambulance service, who have been there for us when we’ve needed back up countless times. Best wishes 🌿
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My eldest son was commuting on the underground train behind. My daughter had been trying to call him but it was a while before he was back above ground and could let us know he was OK.
Fortunately I was at work and away from the news. The first I heard about it was my daughter’s text telling us that her brother was safe.
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My day shift colleagues were all involved in the multiple incidents, and my cousin was a British Transport Police officer, working at Edgware Road Station as the bomb went off. It was a hell of a day for all involved. Glad your son was safe, Cathy.
Best wishes, Pete.
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