The London Underground disaster where 62 children died that was kept a secret for years

A London Underground Station is the site where 173 people tragically died a national disaster that did not become public knowledge until years later. During the Second World War, Tube stations were used as air raid shelters during The Blitz as Londoners sought safety from the bombs being dropped from above. On March 3, 1943, there was panic as an air-raid siren rang with large numbers rushing to the Tube station for shelter.

However, what followed was a tragedy. As people went down the station's entrance staircase in panic, a woman with her baby stumbled over. An older man behind her tripped over her, setting off a chain reaction, and the crush suffocated people.



In total 173 people died, including 62 children, with over 60 more injured. To make matters worse, due to concerns that the Nazis would use the disaster for propaganda, Winston Churchill banned media coverage. Censored from history, it was years before the public knew the truth of what happened.

READ MORE: The West London Underground station that was sold for just £1 There were no bombs dropped that night though. The cause of the air raid siren ringing was that authorities were testing anti-aircraft guns at Victoria Park and thought people would treat the test as a routine air-raid, but they got it wrong. The unexpected ferocity of gunfire caused people to panic.

Furthermore, there weren't any policemen at the entrance of the station to control the situation. And the stairway didn't have handrails in the middle, enough light, or clear markings on the steps. Two years before the disaster, the council asked for money to make changes to the entrance, but the Government said no.

It was only after the incident that handrails were finally put in and the steps were painted white. Bethnal Green tube station was built in 1939 as part of the Central Line extension. At first, people were banned from using the tube to shelter from air raids - authorities feared a siege mentality and disruption of troop movements.

But later, these rules were lifted, and many found safety there. It quickly became a subterranean environment with a canteen and library serving residents. The true cause of the tragedy was kept secret for 34 years, though.

Early reports suggested the tube station had been hit by enemy aircraft. The truth would be a massive blow to morale and give the enemy comfort, so the council kept quiet to maintain the war effort. Finally, on 17th December 2017, a memorial was unveiled to mark the incident, which was also the greatest single loss of life on the London Tube system.

The memorial is a refreshing change from the usual statues and plaques; instead, an inverted staircase overlooks the entrance with the names of victims carved into each side. Sign up for our London Underground newsletter for the latest travel updates to make your commute easier, plus a weekly fix of Tube trivia! Sign up HERE..