2005 London bombings

On July 7, 2005, a series of coordinated suicide bomb attacks occurred in central London, targeting commuters traveling on the city's public transport system during the morning rush hour. Three bombs exploded within fifty seconds of each other on three London Underground trains, and a fourth exploded an hour later on a double-decker bus in Tavistock Square. The bombings were carried out by four Islamist extremists who were inspired by al-Qaeda, killing 52 civilians and injuring over 700. This terrorist attack was the deadliest in London since the Second World War.

Two weeks after the 7/7 bombings, on July 21, 2005, another coordinated attempt was made to detonate explosives on three London Underground trains and a bus. However, unlike the attacks on July 7, the bombs failed to explode properly, and no casualties occurred. The failed attempt was carried out by four men, and all were arrested within a week. These attempted attacks heightened security concerns and triggered a massive manhunt. The second wave of attacks is sometimes referred to as the 21/7 attacks or the July 2005 London bomb plot.

On July 22, 2005, the day after the failed 21/7 attacks, police officers mistakenly shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes, a Brazilian electrician, at Stockwell station in London. He was wrongly suspected of being a fugitive terrorist. The incident raised serious concerns about police operations and the use of deadly force. An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission was conducted, leading to controversy and debate over the UK's counter-terrorism strategy at the time.

By July 29, 2005, police had arrested all four suspects involved in the failed 21/7 bombing attempts. These arrests followed intensive police searches and raids across London. The suspects were found in various locations, including Birmingham and the London borough of South Kensington. The arrest of these suspects was a relief to many and marked a significant success for the police investigation that involved coordination across several forces and communities.

On July 11, 2006, the trial of the suspects involved in the failed 21/7 bomb attacks commenced at Woolwich Crown Court. Six men were charged in connection with the plot. The prosecution alleged that it was a conspiracy to commit murder, while the defendants argued that the devices were not live and it was only a hoax. The trial attracted significant media attention and public interest as it unfolded the complexities and details surrounding the plot.

On February 1, 2007, the four main suspects of the 21/7 bomb plot were convicted of conspiracy to murder at Woolwich Crown Court. The jury found the suspects guilty after evidence was presented showing they intended to cause chaos similar to the 7/7 bombings. The convictions were seen as a major success for UK authorities in tackling terrorism, though concerns about motives and the background of the plotters were widely discussed.

On February 29, 2009, the public release of reports about the 7/7 victims was issued, detailing the lives and experiences of those affected by the July 2005 bombings. The reports were a poignant reminder of the impact of the attacks, highlighting personal stories of courage and resilience. Families of the victims, survivors, and the broader community participated in reflecting on the aftermath and honoring the memories of those who lost their lives.

On May 26, 2009, it was announced that a full inquest into the 7/7 London bombings would be conducted, examining the circumstances and broader context of the attacks. This decision followed years of advocacy by victims’ families and public pressure. The inquest aimed to explore emergency services' responses and seek lessons for future incidents, addressing numerous outstanding questions about the authorities' preparedness and actions on that day.

The formal inquest into the 7/7 London bombings began on October 11, 2010, after extensive preparation and consideration of legal arguments. Presided over by Lady Justice Hallett, the inquest examined detailed evidence from emergency services, survivors, and the families of victims. The proceedings were instrumental in piecing together the sequence of events and assessing the measures taken in the response and aftermath of the bombings.

On May 6, 2011, the 7/7 London bombings inquest concluded with a verdict indicating that the 52 victims were unlawfully killed. While the inquest found that the emergency response had room for improvement, no individuals or agencies were held directly accountable. Lady Justice Hallett praised the bravery of those involved while emphasizing the chaos and difficulty of the situation faced by the responders and survivors.