I enjoy reading history, and Bethnal Green is not too far from where I work. Bethnal Green has a lot of history, but it is most famous for a sad story that happened during World War II.
Seventy years ago last March (3 March, 1943) in the evening, the worst civilian disaster happened during World War II at Bethnal Green tube station. A plaque and memorial commemorates the 173 people who lost their lives when a woman and her child tripped and fell on the third step from the bottom on their way down into the air raid shelter (now tube station) stairs next to the monument when the sirens sounded.
As others from above rushed into the shelter in a panic amongst the sounds of sirens and anti-aircraft guns (which they mistook for bombs), unaware of the disaster happening below, people ended up tumbling over each other. The bodies piled up, several deep, and they ended up suffocated. Most of those who lost their lives were women, closely followed by children. Those who were wounded or involved suffered trauma; I'm sure this trauma lasted their lives.
Bethnal Green memorial and tube station
At the time, the disaster was kept secret from the public in order to protect the nation's morale. Those involved were asked to keep quiet.
This disaster is sad, and so many lost their lives due to panic. A first-hand account of the disaster from one of the survivors can be read here: http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/02/11/alf-morris-survivor-of-the-bethnal-green-tube-disaster/
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