Belfast shakes as the Irish Republican Army explode 22 bombs killing 9 people and injuring 130 others.
During the afternoon of 21 July 1972 Belfast is blitzed by a series of bombs planted and exploded by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) . These events are known as Bloody Friday.
Between approximately 2:10 pm and 3:15 pm a total of 22 car bombs exploded in various parts of Belfast. An explosion at the York Hotel on Botanic Avenue came at about 2:55 pm and this was followed by 10 more explosions in the next 10 minutes.
All over the city plumes of smoke arose as explosions took place.
In the aftermath, fires raged in many buildings and the city centre became a scene of absolute panic and chaos. Hundreds of people took sanctuary outside Great Victoria Street as
Mushroom clouds appeared on the horizon and more bangs reverberated around the city.
Nine people died in the explosions, seven civilians and two soldiers. The injured were 77 women and girls and 53 men and boys. This was the most devastating day of violence in Belfast up to that time.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 July 1972. The reporter is Kevin Myers.
