7/7 London Attacks - 20th Anniversary Report

Commemorations and Lessons - 07 July 2025

Event Context:

On 07 July 2025, commemoration events throughout London will mark the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 bombings attacks. In 2005, four coordinated terrorist attacks staged by al-Qaeda affiliated militants targeted London's public transport system, resulting in 52 fatalities and over 700 injuries.

The bombings took place during the morning rush hour, with explosions recorded at Aldgate station, Edgware Road, King's Cross/Russell Square, and Tavistock Square as follows:

·        0850hrs (local): Shehzad Tanweer detonates an improvised bomb on an eastbound Circle Line train between Liverpool Street and Aldgate stations. Seven passengers were killed instantly and dozens more injured. Moments later, a second blast was recorded on a Circle Line train travelling from Edgware Road towards Paddington. The device was detonated by Mohammad Sidique Khan, and claimed the lives of six passengers.

·        0855hrs (local): A third device detonated by Germaine Lindsay explodes on a Piccadilly Line train between King’s Cross and Russel Square. The explosion killed 26 people trapped many more beneath rubble and debris.

·        0947hrs (local): A fourth bomb carried by Hasib Hussain detonates aboard a No 30 bus service in Tavistock Square. The explosion killed a total of 14 people, including the suspect.

·        1200hrs (local): BBC Monitoring locates a website linked to al-Qaeda containing a 200-word statement claiming responsibility for the bombings. The statement read that 'the heroic mujahideen have carried out a blessed raid in London', confirming suspicions of a link to Islamist extremists.

Today, London’s residents and infrastructure still remain vulnerable to the threats posed by Islamist extremists, many of whom are “lone wolf” operatives who act independently from prescribed terrorist organisations. Social media has provided extremists with increasing space to radicalise new recruits and prepare operations, whilst political polarisation has fostered a social climate increasingly tolerant of extremist views. Meanwhile, dark web forums continue to provide would-be attackers with detailed instructions on how to assemble improvised explosive devices using common household items such as bleach and hydrogen peroxide. Identifying individuals at risk of radicalisation from Islamist extremists continues to prove a significant security challenge for London, and one which warrants increasingly close collaboration between the public and private sectors moving forward.  

Planned Commemorations:

A formal 7/7 commemoration service, organised by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, will be held at City Hall and livestreamed from 1130hrs (local) onwards. The City Hall event is by invitation only, and will likely be attended by several high-profile politicians, law enforcement personnel, and business leaders.

St Pancras Church, located on Euston Road near the site of the Tavistock Square bombing, will host a 7/7 memorial prayer service and silent vigil from 0940hrs-0955hrs (local) on 07 July 2025. Many attendees will likely maintain a personal connection to the event given the church’s location. A special memorial service will also be held at St Paul's cathedral to commemorate the victims of the 7/7 attacks.

Whilst unconfirmed, it is highly likely that wreath laying ceremonies and other memorial events will take place at the 7/7 Memorial Gardens in Hyde Park during the morning hours (local) of 07 July 2025.

Key Takeaways from 7/7:

The 7/7 attacks underscored the need to learn lessons and strengthen preparedness for future incidents. With three bombs detonating on the London Underground and a fourth bomb exploding on a bus, one significant takeaway was how London’s public transport network proved to be a major target for an attack. Another important finding was the significance of timing. With the attacks being deliberately carried out during the morning rush hour on 07 July 2025, 52 people died and hundreds were injured.

The attacks also highlighted several vulnerabilities that needed to be addressed. A notable shortcoming was the communication between emergency services, which faced considerable criticism in the months that followed. Due to poor radio communications in the tunnels, responders had to shuttle messages up and down the tunnels on foot. The London Assembly later called the radios "inadequate" or "non-existent". Additionally, several ambulances were sent to the wrong locations due to a lack of coordination at the stations and emergency services were unable to get on the tracks sooner because of a lack of clarification regarding whether the power had been turned off. Changes have been made in response to the communication issues. The introduction of new radio systems is a primary example, enabling Tube personnel to contact one another with personal radios and broadcast centralised messages from control rooms to any number of staff across the network.

Another major takeaway was how London’s population responded to the attack. In an attempt to demonstrate resilience and unity, London’s population came together. Public commemorations were held and continue to be observed annually. Furthermore, several websites were created, including We Are Not Afraid, to express defiance and solidarity. An impressive 80% of the London Underground network was back in service the following morning.

Protective Actions for the Public:

The threat of terrorism remains relevant across the UK, with the UK Government outlining a terrorism threat level of “substantial”, meaning that “an attack is likely”. The threat in London is particularly significant. There are considerations and precautions that individuals can take to protect themselves. The public is advised to remain aware of unattended bags, especially if they display signs of potential danger such as exposed wires, circuit boards, batteries, adhesive tape, liquids, or unusual substances resembling putty. If there are suspicions of immediate danger, individuals can dial 999 to report the situation to emergency services. In the event of a crisis, individuals should listen to instructions from Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police. Both organisations have a presence online to deliver real-time updates.

Businesses are advised to review their safety protocols and assess their vulnerabilities using trusted security professionals. An effective security assessment could include examining and reducing an attacker’s freedom of movement, utilising technology such as CCTV to identify threats, updating shelter-in-place and evacuation plans, and training employees. Regular reviews should be conducted to continually improve these protocols and ensure their suitability in protecting against future mass casualty attacks.