Netflix Unearths Haunting Details of 7/7 London Bombings

A gripping new Netflix documentary, *Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers*, revisits the devastating 2005 London bombings. The series delves into the attacks, the subsequent investigation, and the tragic events that followed, promising a mature and somber exploration of the tragedy.

A Day of Terror Unfolds

The series commences with the initial attacks on the London transport system, which claimed the lives of 52 people and injured over 700. The opening 25 minutes reconstruct the day’s events using recovered phone pictures, news footage, survivor accounts, and family testimonies. The documentary vividly portrays the fear, pandemonium, and bewilderment of that day.

The documentary offers an unflinching look at the events, often harrowing in its detail. The story of Daniel Biddle, who lost his legs in the Edgware Road explosion, is particularly moving. His recollections of locking eyes with the bomber and his struggle for survival are as compelling as they are brutal. Others describe the noise, confusion, and screams that filled the air.

Investigation and Aftermath

The investigation following the attacks became the most extensive criminal investigation in UK history. The documentary examines how authorities uncovered the bombers’ identities and how they came to suspect the bombers’ own demise. Experts discuss the materials and techniques used, and the effort to stop further attacks.

The series goes beyond a standard police procedural, including the political and media climate of the time. Interviews with key figures like Eliza Manningham-Buller, then director general of MI5, and Tony Blair, the former prime minister, provide crucial context. The documentary even explores the potential connection between the 2003 Iraq invasion and the attacks in Britain. According to a 2023 report, there has been a 60% rise in Islamophobic hate crimes in the UK since 2005 (Source).

The narrative also features the experience of Mustafa Kurtuldu, a survivor of the Aldgate tube bombing. The documentary presents footage of his interview on GMTV, where he was asked about his feelings “as a Muslim.” The investigation moves to Beeston, Leeds, the hometown of two of the bombers. A youth worker discusses the necessity to apologize for extremist actions.

The third episode revisits the failed bombings on July 21. Eyewitness accounts of the failed explosions are present, along with the subsequent search for the four men who escaped. The shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, mistakenly identified as a suspect, is also covered. The documentary features an interview with one of the officers involved, whose identity is concealed.

Focus on Resilience

The series excels in its attention to detail. The capture of Yassin Omar, who attempted to bomb Warren Street, is reconstructed. The series focuses on the survivors and their families, offering a balanced perspective.

In the aftermath, the focus is on the resilience of the community and those directly impacted, ensuring the documentary offers a balanced and sensitive narrative.