The entire world seemed to be in a state of shock when the news of another terror attack in London broke. After the bombings in Manchester at an Ariana Grande concert that claimed 22 lives, this time a van had plowed on to the London Bridge, ramming people on the way. After that, the van went further to Borough Market, an area of the capital known for its pubs, food stalls and lively nightlife and the terrorists got down and stabbed the pedestrians on the way.
This was the third attack in the United Kingdom in less than three months. The attack is being labeled as one of the deadliest to have struck the United Kingdom in recent times. The attack also has an uncanny resemblance to many other attacks that have happened across the world where a vehicle was used as a weapon.
This latest terror attack in London joins a long list of violence stretching back to the 1990s in the UK. In the 90s, most of the attacks were carried out by the Irish Republican Army, and in more recent times, the deadliest attack came on July 7, 2005. Here is a timeline of the most lethal attacks in the UK:
Manchester Arena Attacks (May 22, 2017)
On May 22, 2017, a suicide bombing occurred at the Manchester Arena while a concert by American pop star Ariana Grande was going on.
Deaths: Twenty-three adults and children were killed, and 119 were injured.
Attacker: The attacker was recognized as Salman Ramadan Abedi, who was a 22-year-old British Muslim, who detonated a shrapnel-laden homemade bomb. Abedi was killed in the blast.
(Image Courtesy: The Indian Express)
Westminster Bridge Attack (March 22, 2017)
This was a very similar attack like the London Bridge when a man plowed an SUV into crowds of people gathered on London’s Westminster Bridge. The attacker then got down and stabbed an unarmed police officer. Police shot and killed the attacker later.
Deaths: Five people died, which included a Romanian tourist who later succumbed to her injuries.
Attacker: The attacker was identified as Khalid Masood, a 52-year-old British who had previous records of “violent extremism”.
(Image Courtesy: Daily Express)
Woolwich Attack (May 22, 2013)
Two attackers drove a car into a British soldier before slaying him with a knife and a cleaver. Cellphone footage of the attack showed one of the attackers ranting that the killing was “an eye for an eye” for British soldiers killing Muslims abroad.
Death: Lee Rigby, who was a 25-year-old British soldier and had previously served in Afghanistan and Cyprus.
Attackers: The two men, who were identified as Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale were of Nigerian descent. Adebolajo later declared himself as a warrior for Allah in the court.
(Image Courtesy: Channel 4)
London Underground Attacks (July 7, 2005)
Perhaps the deadliest attack ever to happen in the UK, three suicide bombings occurred within 50 seconds on three different trains traveling in London’s Underground stations. A fourth explosion in a parked bus followed a few minutes later as entire traffic in London came to a still.
Deaths: The attacks killed 52 people and left more than 100 people injured.
Attackers: Four suicide bombers were identified as Shahzad Tanweer, Hasib Hussain, Mohammed Sadique Khan and Germaine Morris Lindsay.
(Image Courtesy: Daily Mirror)
Dockland Attacks (February 9, 1996)
A 3,000-pound bomb detonated in London’s Docklands area. The blast was carried out by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which along with ending their 17-month ceasefire left more than 30 people injured. The attack also caused an estimated damage of $170 million.
Deaths: Two people died.
Attacker: IRA member James McArdle was found responsible for the attack and convicted for the bombing. He was however freed in 1998 as part of a peace process in Northern Ireland.
(Image Courtesy: Pinterest)
Bishopsgate Attacks (April 24, 1993)
A bomb was planted in a truck, and it devastated London’s financial district when it detonated. The blast along with shattering thousands of windows even brought a medieval church down.
Deaths: One person died, and 44 others were injured.
Attacker: Just like most of the bombings in England in the 90s, the IRA was behind this truck bombing as well.
(Image Courtesy: BT.com)
Baltic Exchange (April 10, 1992)
A car bomb ripped through London's financial district, shattering hundreds of windows causing injuries from flying glass. The bomb so badly damaged the Baltic Exchange's office that it had to be demolished.
Deaths: 3 people we killed and more than 90 injured.
Attacker: IRA
(Image Courtesy: Estonian Art)
With extremist attacks on a surge in Europe and around the world, the call is for all nations to unite against terrorism. The last decade has seen a meteoric rise in terrorist attacks around the globe, and it points towards the mere fact that a solution has to be devised for this niggling problem.
(Featured Image Courtesy: The Sun)
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