What happened in London on 7/7 2005?

The 7/7 London bombings were a planned terrorist attack on London and its transport system. 56 people including the four bombers were killed.

Three bombs were detonated on the Underground system at Liverpool Street, Edgware Road and between King’s Cross and Russell Square stations. A fourth bomb was detonated an hour later on a busy bus route in Tavistock Square.

The four suicide bombers carried backpacks loaded with explosives. Once detonated London’s emergency response and management systems were tested to full effect.

What can the industry learn from the 7/7 London bombings?

Efforts were highlighted by the police, transport staff, medical personnel, firefighters, disaster recovery teams, volunteers and the public who showed extraordinary courage.

Lessons learned fell mainly to central government’s arrangements for responding to an emergency, which includes:

• Closure and re-opening of transport systems along with reducing its vulnerabilities
• A review of the capacity and ability to handle a huge volume of calls
• Support to victims and families
• The resilience of the telecommunications network and its capacity
• Reducing the use of jargon and having a common platform for words with specific meanings to reduce confusion
• Enhancing the role and effectiveness of media coordination 

Emergency action plans are often improved by experiencing real events. It’s hoped that they are never called upon but are gratefully received when required.