Subway attacks spark great fear in urban populations. Terrorist organizations use explosions on normal days to show their capability for random destruction. Devastating acts like these cause widespread panic and massive casualties, leaving civilians concerned for their safety. Some of the worst terror attacks in history have targeted public transportation, exploiting lax security. Terrorists and organizations target subways for varying reasons - some for political motives, others not. The 1995 Tokyo Sarin Attack, carried out by a fringe cult, is a horrific example. Whatever the reason, any subway bombing is a tragedy, claiming innocent lives. It's essential to understand these events, as global instability and rising terrorism may make such disasters more likely. Education is key to grasping the underlying issues that contribute to these attacks. This list compiles the deadliest subway attacks of all time.
About this list
- 1
Date: August 10, 2001
Location: Dondo, Angola
Deaths: 252
Injured: 165
On August 10, 2001, the Angolan rebel movement UNITA derailed a passenger train with a landmine. UNITA then attacked passengers with its forces. Over 200 people died in the attack, and over 150 more were wounded. Angola remained in a three-decade long Civil War.Three-decade Civil WarUNITA likely tried to embarrass the Angola government by showing a coming US delegation that Angola remained unstable.
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Date: July 11, 2006
Location:Mumbai, India
Deaths: 209
Injured: 700+
During the evening rush hour on July 11, 2006, Islamic militants executed seven blasts across the Mumbai commuter train system. They targeted first-class compartments, killing over 200 people and injuring over 700 more. Investigations later named 12 men, all from a Pakistani-based militant group, as responsible. The 12 men faced murder, conspiracy, and waging war charges. Seven received life sentences; five got death sentences.
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Date: March 11, 2004
Deaths: 191
Location: Madrid, Spain
Injured:More than 1,800On March 11, 2004, ten bombs hit four commuter trains in Madrid. The blast killed nearly 200 people and hurt about 2,000 others. These attacks happened three days before Spain's general elections. Citizens wanted to know who planned and carried out the bombings before voting. Police first suspected a Basque separatist group, but then focused on the Islamist group al-Qaeda. In 2007, eighteen Islamic fundamentalists were found guilty of the bombings.
0 - 4
Date: May 28, 2018
Location: West Bengal, India
Deaths: 148
Injured:200+
On May 28, 2010, the Gyaneshwari Express derailed and hit a speeding train in West Bengal, India. Maoist rebels were suspected of sabotaging the rails to cause the derailment on the first day of "Black Week." Maoist rebels called this a series of protests.series of protestsThe incident killed about 148 people and injured 200 more during the protests that ran from Friday to Wednesday.
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Date: September 10, 2002
Location: Dhave River, India
Deaths: Estimated 130
Injured:150+
The Howrah Rajdhani Express derailed while heading to New Delhi from Howrah, killing about 130 people and injuring over 150. Poor maintenance caused the accident. Later reports suggested sabotage caused it, as fish plates—the steel bars at the end of rails—seemed purposely removed. The railway minister suggested Maoists, the communist party of India, planned the attack.0 - 6
Date: June 15, 1991
Location: Punjab
Deaths:At least126
Injured: Unknown
Sikh separatist gunmen boarded a Punjab passenger train in 1991 and opened fire. The attack targeted passengers who looked Hindi, part of a movement for Sikh independence. The attack happened two months before a Parliamentary election, aiming to stop the election.0 - 7
Date: August 2, 1980August 2, 1980
Location: Bologna, ItalyBologna, Italy
Deaths: 8585
Injured: 200+200+
On August 2, 1980, a bomb exploded in a waiting room at a Bologna train station. It killed 85 people and hurt 200 others. Right-wing extremists carried out the attack, and four right-wing terrorists werearrested and convicted. Judges sentenced the men to life in prison for their role in the bombings.
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Date: February 18, 2007February 18, 2007
Location: India/PakistanIndia/Pakistan
Deaths: 6868
Injured: 5050
On February 18, 2007, a disgruntled worker with the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh planted bombs on the Samjhauta Express, a train going to the Pakistan border. The attack appeared to be a false flag, as the bomber hoped Muslim extremists would take the blame. Over 60 people died, and 50 others got hurt.0 - 9
Date:November 26, 2008
Location: Mumbai, IndiaMumbai, India
Deaths: 5858
Injured: 109
Terrorists hit several spots in Mumbai in November 2008, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station. Gunmen killed 58 people during a 90-minute attack that ended with them firing into the crowd outside. Ten members of the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba terror group targeted cafes, hotels, and a hospital during the four-day incident. All but one gunman died, and the attacks killed 164 people.
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Date: July 7, 2005July 7, 2005
Location: London, United KingdomLondon, United Kingdom
Deaths: 5252
Injured: 700700
On July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers set off explosives on three underground trains and one double-decker bus in London. The trains were found outside Liverpool Street, Edgware Road, and between King's Cross and Russell Square. Internet documents surfaced in 2012 linking al-Qaeda to the attack.
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Date: December 5, 2003December 5, 2003
Location: Stavropol Krai, RussiaStavropol Krai, Russia
Deaths: 4646
Injured: 160160
On December 5, 2003, a suicide bomber blew up a passenger train in Stavropol Krai. It killed 46 people and injured 170 more. Chechen terrorists are thought to be responsible, but no one faced conviction.
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Date:February 6, 2004
Location: Moscow, RussiaMoscow, Russia
Deaths: 4141
Injured: 100+100+
On February 6, 2004, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive in a Moscow Metro station. It killed 41 people and injured over 100. Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov and Chechen rebels for the attack. Three people were later arrested andgiven life sentences for the attack.
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Date:March 29, 2010
Location:Moscow, Russia
Deaths:40
Injured:102
On March 29, 2010, two female suicide bombers set off explosives on two Moscow trains during morning rush hour. Four dozen people died, and over 100 others got hurt from the dual blasts. Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov claimed responsibility for the attack, just like before.claimed responsibilityfor the attack as he had with previous bombings.
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Date:December 30, 1996
Location: Dehli, IndiaDehli, India
Deaths:33
Injured:Unknown
On December 30, 1996, a bomb exploded on express train tracks toward Delhi. The blast killed 33 people and injured many others. Investigators found someone detonated the bomb remotely, causing six train cars to derail. The Bodo rebel faction is the likely attacker.
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Date:March 22, 2016
Location: Brussels, BelgiumBrussels, Belgium
Deaths: 32
Injured:200
On March 22, 2016, three suicide bombers targeted Brussels transport hubs with explosions. Two bombers used their devices at Brussels Airport, and one detonated his at the Maalbeek metro station. Hundreds got injured. The Islamic terrorist group ISIS later claimed responsibility.
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Date:February 29, 1948
Location: Rehovot, IsraelRehovot, Israel
Deaths: 28
Injured:35
On February 29, 1948, before the Israeli-Arab War, the Jewish group Lehi placed bombs on tracks north of Rehovot. This killed 28 British soldiers.0 - 17
Date:June 18, 1961
Location:Vitry-Le-François, France
Deaths:28
Injured:100+
On June 18, 1961, during the Algerian War, the OAS opposed Algeria's independence. The group planted a bomb on the Strasbourg-Paris train. The bomb went off, killing 28 people.
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Date:November 27, 2009
Location: Near Bologoye, RussiaNear Bologoye, Russia
Deaths:27
Injured:95
On November 27, 2009, a bomb hit the Nevsky Express, causing it to derail near Bologoye, Russia. The blast killed 27 people and injured nearly 100. An investigation caught ten people linked to an Islamic extremist group planning the attack.
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Date:December 30, 2000
Location: Manila, PhilippinesManila, Philippines
Deaths:22
Injured:120
On December 30, 2000, five bombs exploded across Metro Manila, Philippines, killing 22 and injuring over 100. A train cab at the Blumentritt station suffered the most casualties. Eight years later, three members of the Jemaah Islamiyah group were tried and convicted for planning the attack.0 - 20
Date:March 20, 1995
Location: Tokyo, JapanTokyo, Japan
Deaths:13
Injuries:6,000The 1995 Sarin attack on Tokyo subway systems was less deadly than other historic subway attacks. Global concern grew over terrorist groups getting chemical weapons. Survivors faced long-lasting effects. Members of Japan's Aum Shinrikyo cult boarded Tokyo subway trains during rush hour. They carried plastic bags filled with deadly Sarin nerve gas. Cult members deployed Sarin on five trains, killing 13 people and injuring thousands. Authorities found plans for more chemical attacks after raiding the Aum Shinrikyo headquarters. Police arrested hundreds of cult members. Apprehending all responsible parties took over 17 years.
Survivors continued to suffer health issues after the attack. They experienced vision problems and fatigue. Over 200 cult members received convictions. Thirteen of those convictions carried a death sentence.
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