Summary:
- Netflix docuseries Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers recounts the 2005 London bombings.
- The show explores the attacks, police investigation, and the fatal shooting of an innocent man.
- It details MI5’s missed leads and the successful capture of the 7/21 bombers.
Netflix’s Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers examines the real-life events of July 7, 2005, when coordinated suicide bombings struck London’s transport system. The documentary explores the aftermath, investigation, and the manhunt that followed the failed 7/21 attacks, highlighting the challenges faced by authorities and the tragic killing of an innocent man.
What Happened During the 7/7 London Bombings?
On July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers detonated explosives across London’s transport network. Three bombs exploded in or near underground stations, and another detonated on a bus. The attacks killed 52 people and injured more than 770. All four bombers died in the explosions, triggering an urgent investigation by British authorities.
The police quickly began searching CCTV footage to identify the suspects. A key discovery came when a worker found footage of four men with large backpacks entering the station together. This led investigators to Luton, where the attackers had parked a car full of explosive materials. Forensic evidence and cellphone data from a separate rented property helped identify all four bombers: Mohammad Sidique Khan, Shehzad Tanweer, Hasib Hussain, and Jermaine Lindsay.
The documentary also reveals that Khan and Tanweer were previously known to MI5, but they were not deemed high-risk and were not closely monitored. Authorities later discovered they had trained with Al-Qaeda in Pakistan in 2004.
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How Did the Police Handle the 7/21 Bombing Attempts?
Just two weeks after the 7/7 attacks, four more bombers attempted to strike on July 21, targeting locations like Oval, Warren Street, Hackney, and Shepherd’s Bush. However, their bombs failed to detonate, and no fatalities or injuries were reported. The bombers survived, initiating a high-priority manhunt.
A breakthrough came from a gym membership found at one of the bomb sites, belonging to Hussain Osman. This led police to his residence, which became a surveillance target. However, a lapse in surveillance allowed Osman to leave. He was followed to Stockwell station, where officers fatally shot a man believed to be him. The man turned out to be Jean Charles de Menezes, an innocent Brazilian national.
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Was the Killing of Jean Charles de Menezes Justified?
The death of Jean Charles de Menezes triggered public outrage. Initial reports claimed he acted suspiciously and fled from police. However, the documentary features anonymous testimony from the officer who shot him, stating this was not true. De Menezes entered the station normally, and the officers jumped the barriers, not the other way around.
The officer took full responsibility for the shooting. An inquest later found that the killing was not lawful, though no officers were prosecuted. The Metropolitan Police Service was fined £175,000 for violating health and safety laws.
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How Were the 7/21 Bombers Captured?
Following the mistaken identity incident, authorities released images of the four suspects to the public. This move led to crucial tips.
- Muktar Said was identified by his father.
- Yassin Omar, connected to Finsbury Park Mosque, was found at an apartment where police discovered explosive-making equipment.
- Omar was later captured in Birmingham, disguised in a burka and standing in a bathtub with a backpack, though unarmed.
- Ramzi Mohammed and Said were arrested together in a flat in Dalgarno Gardens.
- Hussain Osman was tracked to Italy after using an Italian SIM card.
By July 29, all four 7/21 bombers were in custody. They were later convicted of conspiracy to murder and sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in prison.
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When and Where Is Attack on London Streaming?
Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers is currently streaming on Netflix. The four-part docuseries features first-hand accounts, footage from the investigations, and perspectives from political and intelligence figures, including Tony Blair and Eliza Manningham-Buller.
Source: Time
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