The Olympia bombing killed one person, injured 85, and temporarily halted the Provisional IRA's campaign in Britain while prompting a review of Libyan support for the IRA.
Key Facts
- Date
- 27 March 1976
- Bomb weight
- 2 lb (0.91 kg)
- People present
- Over 15,000
- Injured
- 85, including 8 children
- Fatality
- Rachel Hyams, 79, died 21 days after attack
- Perpetrator
- Provisional IRA
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Provisional IRA was conducting a bombing campaign in Britain aimed at pressuring the British government to withdraw troops from Northern Ireland. The attack was part of a broader strategy of violence, with the IRA's 'Irish Brigade' explicitly demanding a troop withdrawal and threatening further attacks if the demand was not met.
On 27 March 1976, a 2 lb bomb hidden in a litter bin at the top of an escalator inside the Olympia exhibition centre detonated at 4:40 pm, while more than 15,000 people attended the Daily Mail's Ideal Home Exhibition. Eighty-five people were injured, several lost limbs, and 79-year-old Rachel Hyams later died from her injuries. Police received no coded warning prior to the explosion.
Public outrage over the bombing caused the Provisional IRA to temporarily suspend its campaign in Britain, and IRA activity there subsequently dropped significantly. Academic Yonah Alexander argued the attack also contributed to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi at least temporarily reconsidering his support for the IRA. Security practices at the Olympia centre were also changed as a direct result.