Nineteen years ago today, on July 7, 2005, London was rocked by two devastating terrorist bombings that left an indelible mark on the city. The coordinated attacks claimed the lives of 52 innocent people and injured more than 700 others, plunging the capital into mourning and marking a dark day in its history.
The bombings targeted public transport during the busy morning rush hour. The first explosion occurred on a Circle Line train at Edgware Road station, followed by subsequent blasts on the London Underground and a bus in Tavistock Square. The horrifying events unfolded with tragic consequences, with six people losing their lives at Edgware Road station alone.
Today, we remember and honour the 52 victims whose lives were tragically cut short:
- James Adams, 32 – a church deacon and mortgage advisor
- Samantha Badham, 35 – a web designer
- Philip Beer, 22 – a hair stylist
- Anna Brandt, 41 – a cleaner
- Ciaran Cassidy, 22 – a shop assistant
- Rachelle Chung For Yuen, 27 – an accountant
- Elizabeth Daplyn, 26 – a hospital administrator
- Arthur Frederick, 60 – a museum security guard and former police officer
- Karolina Gluck, 29 – a receptionist
- Gamze Gunoral, 24 – a student
- Lee Harris, 30 – an architect
- Ojara Ikeagwu, 56 – a social worker
- Emily Jenkins, 24 – an aspiring midwife
- Helen Jones, 28 – an accountant
- Susan Levy, 53 – a legal secretary
- Shelley Mather, 26 – a tour guide
- Michael Matsushita, 37 – an IT recruiter
- James Mayes, 28 – an analyst
- Behnaz Mozakka, 47 – a biomedical officer
- Mihaela Otto, 46 – a dental technician
- Atique Sharifi, 24 – a student
- Ihab Slimane, 24 – a waiter
- Christian Small, 28 – an advertising salesman
- Monika Suchocka, 23 – a trainee accountant
- Mala Trivedi, 51 – a radiographer
- Adrian Johnson, 37 – a hockey player
- Anthony Fatayi-Williams, 26 – an oil executive
- Jamie Gordon, 30 – a financier
- Giles Hart, 55 – a pro-democracy activist and BT engineer
- Marie Hartley, 34 – an artist
- Miriam Hyman, 31 – a freelance picture editor
- Shahara Islam, 20 – a cashier
- Neetu Jain, 37 – an IT technician
- Sam Ly, 28 – an Australian national on holiday in the UK
- Shyanuja Parathasangary, 30 – a Royal Mail employee
- Anat Rosenberg, 39 – a charity administrator
- Philip Russell, 28 – a financier
- William Wise, 54 – an IT specialist
- Gladys Wundowa, 50 – a cleaner
- Lee Baisden, 34 – an accountant
- Benedetta Ciaccia, 30 – an IT business analyst
- Richard Ellery, 21 – a camera shop assistant
- Richard Gray, 41 – a tax manager
- Anne Moffat, 48 – head of marketing for Girlguiding UK
- Carrie Taylor, 24 – an aspiring novelist
- Fiona Stevenson, 29 – a solicitor
- Michael Stanley Brewster, 52 – senior project manager
- Jonathan Downey, 34 – an HR executive
- David Graham Foulkes, 22 – a media sales manager for The Guardian
- Colin William Morley, 52 – an advertising executive
These individuals, from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, each had their own stories, dreams, and aspirations. Their loss is felt deeply by their families, friends, and the wider community.
As we commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 7/7 bombings, we reflect on the resilience and unity shown by Londoners in the face of such adversity. The memory of those who perished continues to inspire efforts towards peace and understanding, ensuring that such tragedies are never repeated.
