One Year Later: Londoners Remember the Subway Bombings
July 7, 2006
One thing can't be denied: Londoners have a resolute spirit that refuses to be crushed. On July 7, 2005 four suicide bombers blew themselves up in three London subway trains and one bus, killing 52 others and wounding hundreds more. Small business owners and employees nearby the bombing sites spoke with DW-WORLD.DE about their experience that day, the effects on business, and how safe they feel now.
Martin Jacobs, 41, co-owner of a bistro on Baker Street
"We were fearful. We noticed that all the roads had been blocked and we were told not to leave the premises and to keep the shutters and blinds down. People were concerned as to what to do next. Some people were watching the TVs in the restaurant, but there was confusion about what had happened. It was about 1 or 2 o'clock in the afternoon before we realized what had actually happened. Original reports had said something about an electrical explosion. Business was quiet for a few days after that, and tourism fell a bit -- but London is very resolute. The people are strong and determined not to let anything get them down. Business is back to normal -- better than ever -- and I don't think about the bombings at all. I don't ride the tube myself, but the people who do aren't afraid."
Noosin Hajeer, pharmacist on Baker Street
"It was my day off, but I was quite shocked when I heard about it. I didn't find out until later how close the bombings were to my workplace. There's more security now, I see more police around. At the moment, I think the security situation is fine. They're spending all this money and you don't always know how much security is enough."
Franco Novi, 47, owner of an Italian restaurant on Grays Inn Road
"Just after the bombings, business went down because people were scared. A week after there was another bombing -- on July 14. But business has picked up again now. People are trying to carry on with their lives. It's a bit scary in the underground because the trains are always shaking. Of course we worry about bombs."
Helen, 26, employee at a book shop on Euston Road
"It was bizarre, really, because we were right in the middle of it. It was a bizarre day, very quiet; everyone was on edge because of the chaos outside. Business got back to normal quite quickly and the "London spirit" came back. All the businesses in London were affected, but not for very long. I used to ride the Central Line, but now I ride the Piccadilly line, so I would be more affected if it happened again today. I don't worry when I'm in the tube, unless the train stops for a long time in a tunnel or something. Of course, it's in the back of your mind. I think, from what I saw afterward, that the city would be well prepared if something like this happened again. Things were very organized and the emergency rescue people did a great job."
Rabi, 40, employee at a convenience store on Grays Inn Road
"On the bombing day, I closed the shop and walked home another way, so I didn't see what had happened. The shop was closed for two days. Business was very quiet for two to three weeks, but now it's alright. I take the tube and it's alright. Everything's normal."
Chetan Morar, 45, manager of a shoe store near Liverpool Station
"I arrived about 10 minutes after it happened. I was in the bus, just coming to work. I saw people coming out of the tunnel at the Liverpool Station -- they were all black. A chap came in, in tears. People were all around and there was lots of confusion, it was madness, really. Everyone I know from all parts of the world called to find out if I was ok. It was scary. We shut the store on that day. After that, business went down altogether and it was pretty quiet until about last December. It's been slowly picking up again in the last three to four months. I'm kind of a calm person, but I do worry taking public transport. It can happen any time to anyone. It's a scary thing -- it really shook me up. I'm glad I'm alive. The response from the city has been excellent, apart from one or two hiccups. They've done a very good job. A friend of mine is a police officer and he was sent to Russell Square on the day of the bombings. He had to go to therapy for a few months after that because of all the bodies he saw."