77 bus driver Olympic joy turned to barbaric day

George Psaradakis was driving the number 30 bus in London on July 7, 2005, when a bomb detonated, killing 13 passengers. This attack was part of a coordinated series of bombings that resulted in 52 fatalities and over 770 injuries across the public transport system. Now 70 years old and retired in Cyprus, Psaradakis returned to London for the 20th anniversary of the bombings, highlighting the importance of remembrance. He recounted the day as "macabre" and "gruesome," stressing the need for reconciliation and love in response to such violence. Psaradakis draws strength from his Christian Orthodox faith, praying daily for the victims, and believes their souls remain alive in paradise.

He encourages Londoners to gather in memorials at Hyde Park and Tavistock Square to honor the innocent lives lost. His message focuses on the futility of hatred and the necessity of compassion and humanity. Psaradakis reflects on the acts of heroism that emerged in the aftermath of the tragedy, underscoring the resilience of the human spirit.