7/7: The London Bombings - Twenty years on
52 people were killed in a series of bombings in London on the 7th of July 2005
Last updated 7th Jul 2025
It was on this day, twenty years ago, that four bombs were detonated on public transport in London, killing 52 people and injuring over 700 more.
As we mark two decades since the first suicide bombing in British history, we take a look back at how the day unfolded and the impact it continues to have on our country to this day.
LISTEN: '7/7: The London bombings - Twenty years on'
What happened on July 7th 2005?
London woke up in a jubilant mood, it had just been announced the previous day the city would host the Olympics in 2012.
The sun was shining and many were heading to work on what they expected to be a normal commute during rush hour.
Unbeknownst to them four men were on their way to the capital intent on causing devstation.
Just after 4am, three British men, 18-year-old Hasib Hussain, 22-year-old Shehzad Tanweer and 30-year-old Mohammed Sidique Khan left their flat in Leeds to drive to Luton train station.
There they met with 19-year-old Germaine Lindsay before boarding the Thameslink train bound for London King's Cross.
Shortly after arriving in the capital the men hugged each other before entering the Underground system.
At 8.49am, three bombs went off almost simultaneously.
The first bomb, carried by 22-year-old Shehzad Tanweer, exploded on a Circle Line train travelling eastbound between Liverpool Street and Aldgate, killing 7 people.
The second bomb, carried by Mohammad Sidique Khan, detonated on a Circle Line train at Edgeware Road heading westbound to Paddington, killing 6 people.
The third bomb, carried by 19-year-old Germaine Lindsay, went off on a Piccadilly Line train travelling southbound towards Russell Square. This blast was the deadliest of the tube bombings, killing 26 people.
The fourth bomber, Hasib Hussain, detonated the final bomb almost an hour later on a bus at Tavistock Square. The explosion at 9:47 am ripped the top off the bus and killed 13 people.
Service of remembrance - twenty years on
A special service is taking place at St Paul's Cathedral in London this morning to remember those who died and the hundreds more injured.
Survivors are among those expected to attend, along with the families of those who were killed in the bombings.
The service is set to include hymns, a reading from the Mayor of London, reflections from survivors and the bereaved and first responders.
A minute's silence will also be observed.