London Bombing Survivor Believes Attacks Could Happen Again

July 7, 2006 — -- Rachel North was on the Piccadilly Line of the London Tube, traveling from Kings Cross station to Russell Square, on July 7, 2005.

Then, a bomb went off in her train car. Twenty-six people died in that blast, and 340 were maimed and wounded.

North, who suffered minor injuries, lives in London and is an advertising director. She also blogs about her experiences at http://rachelnorthlondon.blogspot.com/.

She spoke with ABC News' Zunaira Zaki on the anniversary of the bombings.

ABC News: What are your thoughts one year later?

Rachel North: I have just been pleased to meet so many people, so many of them fellow passengers and have enjoyed their support.

ABC News: What feelings, if any, do you have toward the London bombers?

North: I have no feelings. They are dead.

ABC News: Do you think there is something the authorities need to be doing now?

North: They should be having an independent inquiry like the 9/11 Commission.

ABC News: As [Prime Minister] Tony Blair suggested, do you think the Muslim community needs to be doing more to root out extremism.

North: As a community we should be doing more -- not just the Muslims. Everyone should be doing something. If your neighbor's house is on fire, you call the fire brigade. If you see your neighbor's son doing something bad, you try to do something about it and stop him. It is imperative on all of us to try and do something to stop people from blowing themselves up. Everybody should be trying to prevent these things.

ABC News: I was in Leeds soon after the bombings, and a lot of the young Pakistani men I spoke with talked about the Iraq war as some sort of motivation. What do you think about that?

North: Well it's clear that foreign policy has had a radicalizing effect. We knew that before 7/7. That does not justify blowing people up. But we do know that there is a difference between feeling bad about the Iraq war and committing acts of murder and terror.

ABC News: Any guess as to what drives these bombers?

North: Extremist political ideology. They are told they are fighting a holy war. If you read the Koran as I have done, it says that murder and suicide are both wrong. It has been interpreted badly by political extremists. These kids were not raised by their families to do this. They chose to follow this radical ideology into adulthood. It's depressing, really. Islam is an ancient religion that is being used for this now.

ABC News: Have you heard about the new al Qaeda tape released [Thursday]?

North: No, I have not? What is it? Is it an al Qaeda production?

ABC News: Yes, they believe it's an al Qaeda production taped in Pakistan. It shows one of the bombers Shezad Tanweer in the tape.

North: Is it a last testament then?

ABC News: Yes, and in the tape says he mentions the military occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, and says that these attacks will keep happening.

North: Not surprising that he said that, most people in the country made the link. Seems to me that the case is even more compelling for the government to hold an independent inquiry. They should have an independent inquiry. We should have a proper examination of facts so we can deal better and prevent acts of terrorisms. This may be uncomfortable for the government, but it does not mean we should not do it.

ABC News: Do you think this will happen again?

North: Definitely. I think it will happen very soon.

ABC News: Any last words?

North: I have had some very sweet comments and support from Americans over the last year. The good thing out of all of this has been the overwhelming support of strangers. So thank you to all the Americans that have been so kind.

ABC News: Thanks, Rachel.