Bethnal Green Tube Station Disaster
The Bethnal Green Tube Disaster on March 3, 1943 was the UK’s largest single loss of civilian life during World War II. During an air raid, thousands of people began to panic and rush for the entrance to the London Underground. One woman tripped while holding her child, and brought down an elderly man with her. The crowd had no idea what was going on, as more people began to trip and fall. In total, 173 people became trapped at the door of the tube, and became asphyxiated. At the time, the British government told nurses and doctors at the local hospitals who treated these people to keep this incident quiet, because they didn’t want to ruin local morale. Years later, it was finally acknowledged, and a memorial service was given for the victims of the disaster.