Wikipedia records how, on July 7th, 2005, at 8:50 a.m., three bombs exploded within fifty seconds of each other on three London Underground trains. A fourth bomb exploded on a bus nearly an hour later at 9:47 a.m. in Tavistock Square. The bombings killed 52 commuters and the four suicide bombers, injured 700, and caused disruption of the city’s transport system (severely for the first day) and the country’s mobile telecommunications infrastructure.

Londoners were already used to the effects of war and the threat of violence. Remembered for their “blitz spirit” during the Second World War, they had also witnessed bombings and threats of bombings by the IRA (Irish Republican Army) between 1971 and 1999. The 7/7 bombings of 2005, detonated by suicide bombers on crowded commuter trains and buses, took violence in the capital to a new level. Wikipedia records: The series of suicide-bomb explosions constituted the largest and deadliest terrorist attack on London in its history. I remember a strange moment when I suddenly looked back on the IRA’s telephoned warnings with gratitude, recognising that lives had been saved by these warnings and by the evacuations that followed.

Today, Londoners remember the bombings of 7/7. Amongst the acts of remembrance is a documentary in which survivors and their loved ones talk of their experiences. The documentary closes with images of Gill Hicks on her wedding day, walking down the aisle just five months after both her legs were amputated below the knee.

Watching their testimony I am filled with love for my fellow human beings. Without exception.