Summary:
- Attack on London: The 7/7 Bombings is now streaming on Netflix, marking the 20th anniversary of the deadly 2005 terror attacks.
- The documentary also covers the failed 21/7 bombings that followed weeks later, highlighting the arrest and conviction of the five perpetrators.
- All five main 21/7 bombers received life sentences, and most are currently serving time in Belmarsh Prison.
Netflix’s Attack on London: The 7/7 Bombings revisits the shocking events of July 2005, when a series of failed terrorist attacks rocked the city just weeks after the deadly 7/7 bombings. This gripping documentary not only recounts how four men attempted but failed to detonate bombs across London but also examines the aftermath and where these men are now.
Who Were the 21/7 Bombers and What Happened on That Day?
The 21/7 bombings took place on 21 July 2005, just two weeks after the 7/7 attacks. Four British men attempted to carry out suicide bombings on the London transport network. Their bombs, however, failed to detonate properly due to incorrectly mixed ingredients. Despite the failure, the attacks sparked widespread panic, leading to a manhunt across the UK and Europe.
- Hussain Osman tried to detonate his device at Shepherd’s Bush Market at 12:26 PM. The bomb fizzled like a small firework, and Osman fled. Police later linked him to the scene via a gym membership card found in the bag. Osman escaped to Italy but was tracked and arrested on 29 July 2005. Extradited to the UK, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years. He is currently held at Belmarsh Prison.
- Ramzi Mohammed attempted his bombing at Oval Station at 12:30 PM. Like the others, his device failed, and he fled the scene. Identified by a tip from a member of the public, Mohammed was arrested in west London on 29 July alongside Muktar Said Ibrahim. He received a life sentence with a 40-year minimum and is also believed to be held at Belmarsh.
- Yasin Hassan Omar planted his failed device between Warren Street and Oxford Circus on the Victoria Line at 12:45 PM. He evaded capture briefly and travelled to Birmingham disguised in a Burka. On 27 July, he was arrested after being tasered by police while wearing a suspicious backpack that turned out to be empty. Omar was also sentenced to life imprisonment with a 40-year minimum.
- Muktar Said Ibrahim was responsible for the device on the 26 bus travelling from Waterloo to Hackney Wick. The bomb failed to detonate at 1:30 PM. CCTV footage helped police identify Ibrahim, and his father contacted authorities. He was arrested alongside Mohammed and sentenced to life with a 40-year minimum term.
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What Was the Role of Manfo Kwaku Asiedu in the 21/7 Bombings?
Manfo Kwaku Asiedu was initially part of the 21/7 plot, but he did not go through with the attack. He abandoned his device in Little Wormwood Scrubs Park and later surrendered to the police. During the 2007 trial, he cooperated with authorities and testified against the other conspirators. Asiedu pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause an explosion and was sentenced to 33 years in prison.
How Did the Police Respond and What Were the Legal Outcomes?
The police launched a nationwide and international manhunt to capture the suspects. One significant misidentification occurred when Jean Charles de Menezes, a Brazilian electrician, was mistakenly shot and killed by police at Stockwell station on 22 July. He lived in the same building as Osman, leading to the fatal error. The Metropolitan Police later expressed regret and paid compensation to the de Menezes family.
At trial in 2007, all four main bombers were convicted of conspiracy to murder and given life sentences. In 2008, appeals by all five defendants to overturn their convictions were rejected. In 2014, Osman, Mohammed, Omar, and Ibrahim also took their case to the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that they were denied legal counsel during police questioning. The court dismissed their appeals.
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Where Are the 21/7 Bombers Now?
All four main bombers—Osman, Mohammed, Omar, and Ibrahim—are serving life sentences with a minimum of 40 years before parole eligibility. They are believed to be incarcerated at Belmarsh Prison, a high-security facility in the UK.
Asiedu, who did not carry out the attack and cooperated with authorities, received a lesser sentence of 33 years and is also thought to be held at Belmarsh.
What Is the Legacy of the 21/7 Bombings Today?
The 21/7 bombings, though ultimately unsuccessful in causing mass casualties, had a significant impact on London and the UK’s counterterrorism measures. The swift response and capture of the suspects underscored the effectiveness of surveillance and public cooperation. However, the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes remains a lasting tragedy and point of contention in British policing history.
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Attack on London: The 7/7 Bombings is available to watch now on Netflix. The four-part documentary series was released in 2025 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the 2005 bombings.
Source: Cosmopolitan
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