Explore the tragic events of July 7, 2005, as London faced its worst terrorist attack
London: On the morning of July 7, 2005, commuters were just starting their day. It was a typical Thursday, with light rain falling. Just hours earlier, London had been celebrated for winning the bid to host the 2012 Olympics.
Newspapers were buzzing with excitement, showcasing headlines like “London’s Triumph.” But soon, that joy would be overshadowed by a horrific tragedy.
Before 9 am, four young suicide bombers struck the Underground and bus system, killing 52 people and injuring over 700. Panic and confusion swept through the city as survivors emerged from the chaos, many injured and covered in dust.
This attack marked Britain’s deadliest since the Lockerbie bombing in 1988, leading to intense scrutiny of security measures. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility, and in the weeks that followed, tensions escalated, culminating in the tragic police shooting of an innocent man, Jean Charles de Menezes.
As a new BBC documentary series prepares to recount this tragedy, let’s take a closer look at how that fateful day unfolded, minute by minute.
4 am – The bombers, Mohammad Sidique Khan, Shehzad Tanweer, and Hasib Hussain, leave their flat in Leeds, where they had been making bombs.
5:05 am – Jermaine Lindsay, the fourth bomber, arrives at Luton station, waiting for his accomplices.
6:51 am – The four men meet at Luton station, seen taking large rucksacks from their car, filled with explosives.
7:24 am – They board a train to King’s Cross, appearing relaxed and in good spirits.
8:23 am – The train arrives, and they split up to enter the Underground. Khan heads to the Circle Line, while the others take different routes.
8:49 am – Three bombs explode on the Underground within seconds. The first bomb goes off on a Circle Line train, killing seven.
Seconds later, Khan detonates his bomb, killing six more. Lindsay’s bomb on the Piccadilly Line kills 26.
Survivor Michael Henning recalls the chaos, saying, “There was a flash of light and everything went black.”
8:52 am – Emergency calls flood in, initially thought to be a power surge. Confusion reigns as reports of explosions spread.
Meanwhile, Hussain struggles with his bomb and buys a battery before heading to McDonald’s.
9 am – Reports of a train derailment and loud bangs come in, but no one suspects terrorism yet.
Caroline Gammell, a reporter, was on the Underground that day. She recalls the chaos as she tried to reach her office, only to find the streets filled with panicked commuters.
9:13 am – A major emergency is declared, and trains are instructed to evacuate passengers.
Mandy Yu, on a nearby train, describes the panic as smoke filled the carriage, making it hard to breathe.
9:15 am – Gammell arrives at Edgware Road, witnessing the aftermath as people covered in dust rush past her.
9:24 am – Hussain boards a bus, and five minutes later, he detonates his device in Tavistock Square, killing 13 more.
Eyewitness Ayobami Bello describes the horror, saying, “The bus went to pieces. There were so many bodies on the floor.”
10:21 am – Scotland Yard confirms multiple explosions in London, and the situation begins to unfold.
10:53 am – Home Secretary Charles Clarke announces the suspension of public transport as the scale of the attack becomes clear.
11:15 am – The Metropolitan Police Commissioner addresses the media, acknowledging the confusion and the number of explosions.
11:25 am – Reports of fatalities begin to emerge, with at least two confirmed dead.
12:05 pm – Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking from a G8 summit, confirms the attacks are terrorist-related.
12:10 pm – Al-Qaeda claims responsibility, calling the bombers “heroic mujahideen.”
12:55 pm – Clarke informs Parliament of four explosions, but the perpetrators remain unknown.
15:25 pm – The death toll rises to 33, with many more injured. Blair vows to bring those responsible to justice.
22:19 pm – Hussain’s family reports him missing, while police find evidence linking the bombers to the attacks.
In the aftermath, it was revealed that the bombers used household materials to create their explosives. The police discovered their flat just days later, finding a scene of chaos.
As the investigation continued, the death toll would rise to 52, with victims from various backgrounds. The attacks led to increased counterterrorism funding and new legislation aimed at preventing future incidents.
New security units were formed, and the government introduced strategies to counter radicalization, though some faced criticism for targeting specific communities.
