London, Yiannis Haniotakis

It was July 7, 2005 when an ordinary summer day turned into a nightmare for the London. The city was moving at its familiar morning rhythms, without knowing that in a matter of minutes it would sink into chaos and terror.

Just before the clock shows 9 am started one set of explosions In London Transfer Media, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds of others. It was the worst terrorist atrocity on British territory.

Three of the bombers – 30 -year -old Mohammed Siddik Khan, 22 -year -old Shehzad Tanwir and 18 -year -old Hassib Hussein – started on 4 morning from the same day from Leeds, western Yorkshire with a rented car to Louton. There they met their fourth accomplice, 19 -year -old Zermain Lindsay, before heading to the capital by train.

Three of the four bombs exploded shortly before 08:50 (local time) on metro trains departing from the busy railway hub of King Cros.

Mohammed Siddick Khan triggered his explosive device on a Circle Line train moving west to Pandington. The bomb exploded in the second wagon and killed six people.

Shehzad Tanwir boarded a train on the same line east. The explosion at the back of the second wagon, which was marked between Liverpool Street and Aldgate, cost seven people.

The most deadly attack was on the Piccadilly line between King’s Cross and Russell Square, when Germain Lindsay sparked her bomb at the front wagon of the full train shortly after his departure from King’s Cross Station. Twenty -six people were killed.

The youngest of the bombers, Hassib Hussein, triggered his explosive device on a two -storey bus in Tavistok Square, not far from King Cros. Killed 13 people. This fourth and last bomb attack took place at 09:47 (local time) – about an hour after the other explosions. Hussein was recorded in a closed circuit of television moving in and around King Cros Station after the first three explosions.

The bus number 30 was at that time in front of the headquarters of the British Medical Association, where a conference was held. While missing medical equipment, dozens of doctors offered specialized knowledge that saved lives.

Greek bus driver George Psaradakis said, according to the BBC: “I was overwhelmed by the explosion. I was watching human members around me, but I was trying to see if there is anyone who needs my help. Seeing my passengers in such a situation, really shocked me, I was shocked. “

Mr Psaradakis had been forced to modify his normal route on the day of the explosion because the police had blocked the road. He said during the investigation that up to 50 people had landed by the bus due to the change of route shortly before the explosion broke the vehicle.

Police and emergency services were called upon to respond to an unprecedented setting: underground tunnels full of injuries and dissolved wagons. World panic -stricken and terrified on stations and buses. The images were dramatic: passengers carrying bloodthirsty people, traumatic carriers running to the stations.

For quite some time there was confusion about what had happened. But as time went on, it became clear: The London had received a coordinated terrorist attack.

Britain sank into mourning, but also in a collective shock. The flags were waving in the middle. People were standing silent on the streets and stations, and the loud heart of London stopped, even for a while.

Two weeks later, on July 21, four other aspiring terrorists tried to repeat the attack. Authorities were immediately mobilized and the perpetrators were arrested. According to police, only detonators of the bombs exploded, probably causing the sounds of clicks reported. A person suffered a slight asthma crisis and was the only recorded injury.

But the tension and fear had already peaked. On July 22, police accidentally killed Jean Charles de Menezes, who was mistakenly regarded as one of the members of the failed attempted bomb attack of the previous day.

Two decades have passed since then. In Hyde Park there is a monument with 52 steel pillars – one for every life lost. There, relatives, survivors and citizens gather every 7 July and honor the memory of the victims.

London has not forgotten. Neither faces, nor stories, nor fear. But, above all, he did not forget the power, courage and solidarity of his people. In the horror of that day, ordinary citizens became heroes. And the message the city sends is the same every year: “London will never bend.”

King Charles: Remember the countless stories of courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day

King Charles called on the people to stand united “against those who will seek to divide us”, in his message on the 20th anniversary of July 7 attacks in London. He condemned the “irrational acts of evil” and called for a “spirit of unity”, stressing that the attacks have shown the importance of “building a society where people of all religions and backgrounds can live with mutual respect and understanding.”

As he added: “My prayers remain with all those whose lives have changed forever that terrible summer day”, including those who carry “physical and psychological traumas”.

King Charles welcomed the “spirit of unity that helped London and our nation to heal their wounds” and ended up in his Mymima by saying: “We must also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from that day. The selfless bravery of emergency services, our transport workers and fellow workers who rushed to the danger to help us strangers reminds us of the best side of mankind against the worst. “

Kir Starmer: Those who tried to divide us failed

In a message on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the July 7 attacks, British Prime Minister Kir Starmer: “Today the whole country will be united to remember the lives lost in the July 7 attacks and all those whose lives have changed forever. We honor the courage they showed that day – the bravery of emergency services, the power of survivors and the unity of Londoners towards terrorism.

“Those who tried to divide us failed. We have stood united then and are now united – against hatred and for the values ​​that define us, freedom, democracy and the rule of law. “

Sandik Khan: London’s determination to stand united is stronger than ever

“Today, it takes 20 years since the horrible July 7 terrorist attacks that shocked our city,” notes London Mayor Sandik Kahn. “We remember the 52 people whose lives were brutally lost and pay tribute to those who have been tried.”

“London’s determination to remain united is stronger than ever. We will always choose hope instead of fear and unity instead of division, as we continue to build a safer London for everyone, “Kan concludes.