Victims of London nail bomb attacks remembered
To mark the 20 anniversary of London nail bomb attacks Brick Lane Act of Remembrance was held on Wednesday in front of Brick Lane Police Station with candle light vigil for the victims and the injured of Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho.
The 1999 London nail bombings were a series of bomb explosions that took place over three successive weekends between 17 April in Brixton, 24 April in Brick Lane and 30 April in Soho, a press release said Thursday.
While fortunately no one was killed in Brixton and Brick Lane bombing unfortunately three people lost their lives in Soho attack.
The second bomb, on the following Saturday, 24 April, was aimed at Brick Lane in the East End of London, which has a large Bengali community. There is a street market on Sundays, but the perpetrator mistakenly tried to plant the bomb on Saturday when the street was less busy.
Unwilling to change the timer on the bomb, he left it instead in a black Reebok bag on Hanbury Street. There it was picked up by a man, who brought it to the police station on Brick Lane, which was shut. He had placed it in the boot of his Ford Sierra car which was parked outside number 42 Brick Lane, where it exploded.
Thirteen people including Emdad Talukder were injured, and surrounding buildings and cars were severely damaged. At the time, Muslims were gathering outside the Brick Lane Mosque for prayers. John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets stressed the need of unity of all communities and stated Tower Hamlets as a place of no hate.
LGBT Poet Laureate Trudy Howson recited a poem in memory of the victims. The event ended with a minute silence for the victims. A plaque was mounted on the wall next to police station as a reminder.
The event was attended by local community and anti-racist activists, Cllrs, Police Commander Sue Williams, senior Council officials and Emdad Talukder who was injured in the Brick Lane blast, added the release.
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