Worst terrorist strikes--worldwide

compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last updated 29 August 2021


Deadliest terrorist strikes, worldwide *

* Includes attacks resulting in at least 100 fatalities.

datelocationkilledinjureddescription
11 Sep 2001United States2,9938,900crashing of hijacked planes into World Trade Center, New York City, New York, Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and site in Pennsylvania, USA
7-9 Oct 2023Israel1,1945,074armed attacks and massacres by Hamas in Kibbutz Re'im, Kibbutz Be'eri, Kfar Aza, Ofakim, and other communities near Gaza border plus rocket attacks throughout central Israel
26-30 Jul 2009Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria780?armed attack on city by Boko Haram
3-4 Jan 2015Baga and Doro Gowon, Nigeria700?300?armed attack and arson of villages by Boko Haram
14 Oct 2017Mogadishu, Somalia587316truck bomb attack at intersection near hotels, restaurants, and government offices
14 Aug 2007Iraq5201,500multiple car bombings in Al-Adnaniyah and Al-Qataniyah
20 Aug 1978Abadan, Iran47710arson of theater
1-3 Sep 2004Beslan, North Ossetia, Russia372747hostage taking at school (includes 35 terrorists killed)
16-18 Dec 2018Bongende, Bandundu, DR Congo339111Batende tribe attacks on villages
23 Jun 1985multiple3314mid-air bombings of Air India flight off Cork, Ireland, killing 329; bomb intended for second Air India flight exploded in Narita Airport, Japan, killing 2 and injuring 4
3 Jul 2016Baghdad, Iraq324225truck bombing in market area, setting fire to crowded shopping mall
12 Mar 1993Mumbai (Bombay), India3171,40015 bombings throughout city
7 May 2014Gamboru Ngala, Nigeria310?armed attack on market, after which many buildings were set on fire
23 Nov 2017Bir al-Abed, Sinai, Egypt309128attack on mosque with bombs followed by shooting attack on fleeing survivors; 27 children among those killed
7 Aug 1998multiple3034,954truck bomb explodes outside U.S. embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, destroying adjacent office building; 244 killed, 4,877 injured; within five minutes, a truck bomb explodes outside U.S. embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 12 killed
23 Oct 1983Beirut, Lebanon301161simultaneous truck bombings of U.S. Marine and French barracks
22 Sep 1997Ben Talha, Algeria277?armed attack
30 Dec 1997Ami Moussa, Algeria272?armed attack
21 Dec 1988Lockerbie, Scotland, United Kingdom27012mid-air bombing of Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland
25 Nov 1940Haifa, British Palestine267172bombing and sinking of ship carrying Jewish immigrants
21 Apr 2017Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh, Afghanistan266160attack on military base by 10 terrorists claiming to be transporting injured soldiers; suicide bombings and shooting attacks targeted soldiers at the base mosque; 10 terrorists killed
21 Apr 2019Colombo, Negombo, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka259500eight explosions on Easter Sunday: suicide bombings at St. Anthony’s Shrine and three hotels in Colombo, St. Sebastian’s church in Negombo, and a church in Batticaloa; two more explosions in Colombo as police pursued leads; at least 36 foreigners among those killed
20 Nov-5 Dec 1979Mecca, Saudi Arabia240600hostage taking at Grand Mosque (includes 87 terrorists killed)
21 Feb 2004Uganda23960armed attack and arson at refugee camp
29 Aug 1997Algeria238?attacks at Sidi Moussa and Hais Rais
31 Oct 2015Sinai, Egypt2240apparent mid-air bombing of Russian Airbus over Sinai after departing Sharm el-Sheikh airport; plane broke apart in midair
25 Jul 2018As-Suwayda, Syria221180armed attacks and bombings by Islamic State terrorists
16 Mar 2014Kaduna, Nigeria219?armed attacks on villages of Ungwar Sankwai, Ungwar Gata, and Chenshyi
31 Oct 1999Atlantic Ocean, Massachusetts, United States2170intentional crash of Egypt Air flight off Nantucket Island by copilot
11 Jul 2006Mumbai, India209714seven bombings on commuter trains
12 Oct 2002Kuta, Indonesia202350car bombing outside nightclub
23 Nov 2006Baghdad, Iraq202260five car bombings and two mortar attacks in Sadr City, Baghdad
18 Apr 2007Baghdad, Iraq193197multiple bombings
11 Mar 2004Madrid, Spain1911,876bombings of four trains
24 Dec 2008Doroma, Orientale, DR Congo1890armed attack on village
2 Mar 2004Iraq188652suicide bombings at shrines in Karbala and Kadhimiya
22 Apr 2013Baga, Nigeria18777Boko Haram attack on village
23 May 2016Jableh and Tartus, Syria184200multiple bombings
4 Jan 1998Algeria182?attacks at Had Chekala, Remka, and Ain Tarik, Algeria
14 Sep 2005Baghdad, Iraq182679multiple suicide bombings and shooting attacks
7 Jul 2007Armili, Iraq182270multiple suicide truck bombings in Armili and area, Iraq
26 Aug 2021Kabul, Afghanistan182170suicide bombing at airport gate among crowds attempting to leave Afghanistan, followed by gunfight; casualties included multiple children killed, 13 U.S. soldiers killed and 20 more injured
20 Jan 2012Kano, Nigeria17850multiple bombings and gun attacks
26-29 Nov 2008Mumbai, India174370multiple shooting and grenade attacks and hostage takings (includes 9 terrorists killed)
19 Sep 1989Bilma, Niger1710mid-air bombing of French UTA flight near Bilma
23-26 Oct 2002Moscow, Russia170656hostage taking and attempted rescue in theater (includes 41 terrorists killed)
19 Apr 1995Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States169675truck bombing of federal building, causing partial collapse
16 Apr 1925Sophia, Bulgaria160500bombing by communist terrorists of Sveta Nedelya Cathedral during funeral; cathedral dome collapsed, killing mostly officials attending the funeral
05 Jun 2021Solhan, Burkina Faso16040armed attack on village; at least 20 children among those killed; government reports indicate most attackers were child soldiers
20 Aug 2021Arbinda, Burkina Faso160armed attack on convoy killed 59 civilians and 21 soldiers; 80 attackers also killed
23 Mar 2019Mopti, Mali1600armed attack on villagers in Ogossagou and Welingara
25 Oct 2009Baghdad, Iraq155721two vehicle bombings at government buildings
27 Mar 2007Tal Afar, Ninewa, Iraq153351two truck bombings
10 Aug 2001Luanda, Angola152146attack on train south of Luanda
2 Apr 2015Garissa, Kenya15279attack on college campus by multiple gunmen
31 May 2017Kabul, Afghanistan150400truck bombing in square near foreign embassies
13 Jul 2018Mastung, Pakistan150300suicide bombing at election rally
14 May 1985Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka15085armed attack on crowds
28 May 2010Khemasuli, West Bengal, India148180sabotage resulting in derailment of Jnaneswari express train and collision with second train
16 Dec 2014Peshawar, Pakistan148124shooting and bombing attack on school
14-19 June 1995Budennovsk, Stavropol, Russia143435hostage taking at hospital and two failed rescue attempts
17 Sep 2013Benisheik, Nigeria143?ambush of civilian traffic on highway
20 Mar 2015Sanaa, Yemen142352two bombings at each of two mosques
18 Oct 2007Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan141540bombing of motorcade for former prime minister Bhutto
19 May 2017Brak al-Shati Airbase, Libya141?armed attack on airbase, killing soldiers and civilians
3 Aug 1990Kathankudy, Sri Lanka14070armed attack at two mosques
3 Nov 1998Mitu, Columbia13830FARC rebels attack police barracks with rockets, killing police officers and 10 civilians
13-14 Nov 2015Paris, France137352shooting and hostage-taking at a theater; shooting attacks on three restaurants; four suicide bombings outside a soccer stadium and at a restaurant
3 Feb 2007Baghdad, Iraq137334truck bombing in marketplace
6 Mar 2007Hilla, Babil, Iraq137310two suicide bombings and additional attacks
29 Mar 2007Iraq137251multiple bombings in Baghdad, Khalis, and Mahmudiya
28 Feb 2005Hilla, Babil, Iraq135130car bombing outside medical clinic
2 Oct 1990Guangzhou, PR China13249crash of hijacked PRC airliner
13 Sep 1999Moscow, Russia130150bombing of apartment building
21 Jan 2019Maidan Shar, Wardak, Afghanistan12954suicide vehicle bombing at security base; 3 attackers among those killed
10 Dec 2019Inates, Niger12812Boko Haram attack on military base killed 71 soldiers, injured 12; 57 attackers also killed
8 Dec 2009Baghdad, Iraq127448five car bombings
18 Apr 1987Alut Oya, Sri Lanka12764Tamil Tiger roadway ambush of Sinhalese in five vehicles near Alut Oya
23 Nov 1996Moroni, Comoros12748crash of hijacked Ethiopian Air flight off Comoros during forced landing off shore
19 Aug 2002Khankala, Chechnya, Russia12714Mi-26 helicopter carrying Russian troops shot down by terrorist-fired missile shortly before landing; 115 killed immediately, 12 died of injuries; 21 survivors included 14 injured
15 Apr 2017Rashidin, Syria126100suicide car bombing targeting buses carrying refugees; fatalities included 80 children
29 Aug 2003Najaf, An-Najaf, Iraq125500car bombing outside mosque
24 Nov 2016Hillah, Iraq12595suicide car bombing at gas station
5 Jan 2006Iraq124203bombings in Karbala, Ramadi, and Baghdad
13 Aug 1990Eravur, Sri Lanka12279armed attack at mosque
24 Dec 2019Arbinda, Burkina Faso122armed attack on village killed 35 civilians, mostly women, and 7 soldiers; 80 attackers also killed
28 Nov 2014Kano, Nigeria121280bombing attack on mosque
10 Jan 2013Pakistan120222bombings at security checkpoint, billiards hall, nearby street, and market in Quetta, and bombing at mosque in Mingora
28 Oct 2009Peshawar, Pakistan119213car bombing at marketplace
2 May 2002Bojaya, Choco, Columbia11980armed attack on village including bombing of church
19 Nov 2018Mitile, Borno, Nigeria118150Boko Haram attack on military base
20 May 2014Jos, Nigeria11856two car bombings at market and bus station
27 Feb 2004Manila, Philippines1189bombing and fire on ferry near Manila
1 Jul 2015Kukawa, Nigeria118?attack by 50 gunmen on village
23 Jul 2012Iraq116299multiple bombings in Taji, Mosul, Baghdad, Dhuluiya, Baquba, and Diyala
17 Jul 2015Khan Bani Saad, Diyala, Iraq115170truck bombing in marketplace
29 Nov 1987Burma1150mid-air bombing of Korean Air flight near Burma
20 May 2013Iraq113329bombings in Baghdad, Hilla, Basra, Balad, Jisr Diyala, Samarra, Mosul, Baiji, Rutba, Baquba, and Tuz Khormato, and armed attacks in Haditha
23 Sep 1983United Arab Emirates1120crash of Gulf Air flight following mid-air bombing over the UAE
10 May 2010Iraq111391multiple bombings in Hilla, Basra, al-Suwayra, Baghdad, Tarmiyah, Fallujah, Mosul, and Iskandariyah, and additional armed attacks in Baghdad
27 Nov 1989Bogota, Columbia110?mid-air bombing of Avianca flight in Bogota, killing all 107 aboard plus 3 on the ground
10 Oct 2008Orakzai, Pakistan110165truck bombing of anti-Taliban tribal meeting
28 Nov 2020Jere, Nigeria11014Boko Haram armed attack on village, mostly using bladed weapons; a number of women were kidnapped
1 Feb 2004Irbil, Irbil, Iraq109256two suicide bombings of political party offices
20 Sep 2015Borno, Nigeria10897bombings at a mosque, market, and football game spectators in Maiduguri; bombing of market in Monguno
17 Mar 2017Mosul, Iraq10736ISIS terrorists held over 100 civilians in a building rigged with explosives, then had two snipers on the roof invite a U.S. airstrike which triggered the explosives; 101 killed in the building’s collapse plus 4 killed in neighboring buildings; 36 reported missing
9 Sep 2012Iraq106424bombings in Baghdad, Amara, Kirkuk, Taji, Maysan, Tuz Khormato, Nasiriyah, Basra, Tal Afar, Hawija, and Ar Riyad, and armed attack on Dujail army base
16 Aug 2012Iraq106342bombings in Baghdad, Tal Afar, Kirkuk, Daquq, Garma, Kut, Husainiya, Tuz Khurmato, and armed attacks in Mushahda, Falluja, Al-A'amiriya, and Baaj
21 Apr 1987Columbo, Sri Lanka106295Tamil Tiger bombing of bus depot
10 Jul 2010Kakaghund, Pakistan106115two suicide bombings
22 Sep 1993Sukhumi, Georgia10626crash of airliner struck by missile
17 Feb 2008Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan10595suicide bombing at dogfighting festival
19 Aug 2009Baghdad, Iraq104568multiple bombings at government sites
24 Jun 2004Iraq103324bombings in Mosul and Baghdad; armed attacks in Ramadi and Baquba
27 Jan 2018Kabul, Afghanistan103235suicide bombing in ambulance at a police checkpoint
16 Oct 2006Habarana, Sri Lanka103150suicide bombing of military convoy near Habarana
11 Jan 1998Sidi Hamed, Algeria10370attack on movie theater and mosque
10 Oct 2015Ankara, Turkey102400two suicide bombings at political rally
3-10 Jul 2007Islamabad, Pakistan10229hostage taking and army storming of mosque
27 May 2016Baghdad, Iraq101194multiple bombings
22 Jan 2007Iraq101186bombings in Baghdad and Baquba
09 Jun 2019Darak, Cameroon1019Boko Haram attack on military forces killed 37 soldiers and civilians and injured 9; 64 attackers also killed
13 Dec 1921Bolgard, Bessarabia, Romania100?bombing of Siguranzia palace in Bolgard (Ograd?) in Bessarabia
6 Nov 1985Bogota, Columbia100?50 M-19 terrorists seize Palace of Justice in Bogota, Columbia; 12 judges killed, palace is stormed, fire results and kills all terrorists and additional hostages
21 Sep 2013Iraq100160bombings and shooting attacks in Baghdad, Beiji, and Mosul
16 Jul 2005Musayyib, Babil, Iraq100150suicide bombing in marketplace near gas tanker and mosque
4 Nov 2011Damaturu, Yobe, Nigeria100100bombings and shooting attacks on churches, police headquarters, government buildings, and banks
18 May 1973Chita, Siberia, USSR1000mid-air bombing of Aeroflot airliner over Siberia
4 Dec 1977Malaysia1000crash of hijacked Malaysian Boeing 747 airliner in Straits of Johore near Malaysia
24-28 Mar 2021Palma, Mozambique100armed attack by 200 fighters on town, killing dozens and destroying much infrastructure over 4 day period; victims included foreigners in besieged hotel; about 20,000 residents fled


Significant terrorist acts using unconventional weapons

datelocationkilledinjureddescription
6 Apr 2007Ramadi, Al-Anbar, Iraq3550suicide bombing with truck carrying chlorine tanks
15 May 2007Abu Sayda, Diyala, Iraq3250bombing at open air market involving chlorine release
7 Apr 2016Aleppo, Syria23100chemical attack on Kurdish-controlled neighborhood
6 Sep 1987Zamboanga City, Philippines19140water poisoning with pesticide at constabulary
27 Feb 2013Habib Godala, Ghazni, Afghanistan17?police officers poisoned, then shot
21 Jan 1994Ormancik, Turkey16?attack with chemical grenades on village of Ormancik
28 Jan 2007Ramadi, Al-Anbar, Iraq160suicide bombing with dump truck carrying chlorine tank
20 Mar 1995Toyko, Japan125,511sarin nerve gas attack in subway
20 Feb 2007Taji, Baghdad, Iraq9150bombing of chlorine tanker truck near restaurant
Mar 2012Yahyakhel district, Paktika, Afghanistan90poisoning and armed attack on police
16 Mar 2007Al-Anbar, Iraq8352two suicide bombings in Falluja and one in Ramadi, all trucks carrying chlorine tanks resulting in chemical releases
8 Oct 2006Numaniyah, Wasit, Iraq7700possible poisoning of food
27 Jun 1994Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan7270sarin nerve gas attack, attributed to Aum Shinrikyo
21 Feb 2007Baghdad, Iraq673explosion of car bomb carrying chlorine tanks
30 Apr 2007Ramadi, Al-Anbar, Iraq610explosion of chlorine tanker near restaurant
25 Apr 2013Kunduz, Afghanistan60poisoning and armed attack on police outpost
9 Oct 2001Washington, DC, United States47anthrax-laced letters mailed to Washington, DC
19 Dec 2012Spin Boldak district, Kandahar, Afghanistan4?poisoning attack on police
Jan 2013Panjwai district, Kandahar, Afghanistan30poisoning attack on police
21-27 Oct 2016near Mosul, Iraq21,500sulfur mine set on fire, producing widespread sulfur dioxide plumes
19 Feb 2007Ramadi, Al-Anbar, Iraq216suicide bombing with car carrying chlorine tanks
31 Mar 2012Esfandi, Ghazni, Afghanistan20acid attack on children
18 Sep 2001West Palm Beach, Florida, United States110anthrax-laced letters mailed to West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, and New York City, New York, USA
25 Apr 2007Baghdad, Iraq12truck bombing involving chlorine
8 Mar 2016Taza Khurmatu, Iraq1800chemical weapon attack by ISIS
19 Apr 1946Nuremberg, FR Germany02,283cyanide poisoning of bread for SS prisoners in Camp Stalag 13 near Nuremberg
9-19 Sep 1984The Dalles, Oregon, United States0751salmonella poisoning in restaurants by followers of Bhadwan Shree Rajneesh
19 Apr 1995Yokohama, Japan0272tear gas attack
2 Jul 2012Sheberghan, Jawzjan, Afghanistan0255gas poisoning at girls' school
17 Apr 2012Rustaq, Takhar, Afghanistan0171water poisoning at girls' school
1 May 2013Kabul, Afghanistan0150poisoning attack on girls' school
14 May 2013Balkh province, Afghanistan0150poisoning attack on girls' school
28 May 2012Takhar, Afghanistan0124gas poisoning at girls' school
22 Jun 2012Sar-e-Pul, Afghanistan0118gas poisoning at girls' school
12 May 2009Kunduz, Afghanistan0104gas poisoning at girls' school
Jul 2012Jawzjan, Afghanistan0100gas poisoning at girls' school


Terrorist attacks with high numbers of non-fatal injuries*

* Includes attacks resulting in 300 or more injuries apart from fatalities. Note than these figures are not as consistently defined by reporting authorities.

datelocationkilledinjureddescription
11 Sep 2001United States2,9938,900crashing of hijacked planes into World Trade Center, New York City, New York, Pentagon in Alexandria, Virginia, and site in Pennsylvania, USA
20 Mar 1995Toyko, Japan125,511sarin nerve gas attack in subway
7-9 Oct 2023Israel1,1945,074armed attacks and massacres by Hamas in Kibbutz Re'im, Kibbutz Be'eri, Kfar Aza, Ofakim, and other communities near Gaza border plus rocket attacks throughout central Israel
7 Aug 1998multiple3034,954truck bomb explodes outside U.S. embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, destroying adjacent office building; 244 killed, 4,877 injured; within five minutes, a truck bomb explodes outside U.S. embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 12 killed
19 Apr 1946Nuremberg, FR Germany02,283cyanide poisoning of bread for SS prisoners in Camp Stalag 13 near Nuremberg
11 Mar 2004Madrid, Spain1911,876bombings of four trains
14 Aug 2007Iraq5201,500multiple car bombings in Al-Adnaniyah and Al-Qataniyah
21-27 Oct 2016near Mosul, Iraq21,500sulfur mine set on fire, producing widespread sulfur dioxide plumes
12 Mar 1993Mumbai (Bombay), India3171,40015 bombings throughout city
31 Jan 1996Columbo, Sri Lanka911,400suicide truck bombing of Central Bank
26 Feb 1993New York City, New York, United States61,040truck bombing in garage of World Trade Center
6 Dec 1989Bogota, Columbia521,000truck bombing at federal police building in Bogota
9 Mar 2016Taza Khurmatu, Iraq1800chemical weapon attack by ISIS
7 Jul 2005London, England, United Kingdom56784bombings of three subway trains and one bus
9-19 Sep 1984The Dalles, Oregon, United States0751salmonella poisoning in restaurants by followers of Bhadwan Shree Rajneesh
1-3 Sep 2004Beslan, North Ossetia, Russia372747hostage taking at school (includes 35 terrorists killed)
25 Oct 2009Baghdad, Iraq155721two vehicle bombings at government buildings
11 Jul 2006Mumbai, India209714seven bombings on commuter trains
1 Oct 1982Tehran, Iran60700truck bombing in public square
8 Oct 2006Numaniyah, Wasit, Iraq7700possible poisoning of food
14 Sep 2005Baghdad, Iraq182679multiple suicide bombings and shooting attacks
19 Apr 1995Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States169675truck bombing of federal building, causing partial collapse
23-26 Oct 2002Moscow, Russia170656hostage taking and attempted rescue in theater (includes 41 terrorists killed)
2 Mar 2004Iraq188652suicide bombings at shrines in Karbala and Kadhimiya
27 Dec 2002Grozny, Chechnya, Russia71640two car bombings outside government house
20 Nov-5 Dec 1979Mecca, Saudi Arabia240600hostage taking at Grand Mosque (includes 87 terrorists killed)
17 Jul 1996Sri Lanka70600bombing of train
19 Aug 2009Baghdad, Iraq104568multiple bombings at government sites
18 Oct 2007Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan141540bombing of motorcade for former prime minister Bhutto
15 Aug 1998Omagh, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom29530two car bombings, with telephoned warning directing evacuees towards one bomb
1 Oct 2017Las Vegas, Nevada, United States59527(CRI?) sniper attack on concert; fatalities included 1 police officer and 2 Canadians; attacker killed himself
26 Jun 1996Dhahran, Saudi Arabia19515truck bombing at U.S. military housing complex near Dhahran
21 Apr 2019Colombo, Negombo, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka259500eight explosions on Easter Sunday: suicide bombings at St. Anthony’s Shrine and three hotels in Colombo, St. Sebastian’s church in Negombo, and a church in Batticaloa; two more explosions in Colombo as police pursued leads; at least 36 foreigners among those killed
16 Apr 1925Sophia, Bulgaria160500bombing by communist terrorists of Sveta Nedelya Cathedral during funeral; cathedral dome collapsed, killing mostly officials attending the funeral
29 Aug 2003Najaf, An-Najaf, Iraq125500car bombing outside mosque
4-5 Feb 2015Fotokol, Cameroon90500armed attack on town
16 Sep 1999Volgodonsk, Rostove, Russia17480car bombing
30 Oct 2008Assam, India84470twelve bombings in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta Road, and Bongaigaon
8 Dec 2009Baghdad, Iraq127448five car bombings
14-19 Jun 1995Budennovsk, Stavropol, Russia143435hostage taking at hospital and two failed rescue attempts
14 Jul 2016Nice, France87434vehicular attack on Bastille Day crowds
7 Aug 2015Kabul, Afghanistan44426multiple bombings: 27 police recruits killed and 26 injured by suicide bombing at a police academy; 15 killed and 400 injured (including 15 children injured) by a truck bombing in a residential area near an army base
9 Sep 2012Iraq106424bombings in Baghdad, Amara, Kirkuk, Taji, Maysan, Tuz Khormato, Nasiriyah, Basra, Tal Afar, Hawija, and Ar Riyad, and armed attack on Dujail army base
31 May 2017Kabul, Afghanistan150400truck bombing in square near foreign embassies
10 Oct 2015Ankara, Turkey102400two suicide bombings at political rally
23 Aug 2013Tripoli, Lebanon42400two bombings outside mosques
20 Nov 2003Istanbul, Turkey30400suicide bombings of British consulate and bank
10 May 2010Iraq111391multiple bombings in Hilla, Basra, al-Suwayra, Baghdad, Tarmiyah, Fallujah, Mosul, and Iskandariyah, and additional armed attacks in Baghdad
10 May 2012Damascus, Syria55372twin suicide attacks
26-29 Nov 2008Mumbai, India174370multiple shooting and grenade attacks and hostage takings (includes 9 terrorists killed)
20 Mar 2015Sanaa, Yemen142352two bombings at each of two mosques
13-14 Nov 2015Paris, France137352shooting and hostage-taking at a theater; shooting attacks on three restaurants; four suicide bombings outside a soccer stadium and at a restaurant
16 Mar 2007Al-Anbar, Iraq8352two suicide bombings in Falluja and one in Ramadi, all trucks carrying chlorine tanks resulting in chemical releases
27 Mar 2007Tal Afar, Ninewa, Iraq153351two truck bombings
12 Oct 2002Kuta, Indonesia202350car bombing outside nightclub
19 Apr 2016Kabul, Afghanistan65347suicide bombing and armed attack on government building
16 Feb 2017Sehwan, Pakistan88343suicide bombing at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a Sufi shrine
16 Aug 2012Iraq106342bombings in Baghdad, Tal Afar, Kirkuk, Daquq, Garma, Kut, Husainiya, Tuz Khurmato, and armed attacks in Mushahda, Falluja, Al-A'amiriya, and Baaj
22 Mar 2016Brussels and Zaventem, Belgium35340three suicide bombings at Brussels Airport in Zaventem and subway station in Brussels
3 Feb 2007Baghdad, Iraq137334truck bombing in marketplace
20 May 2013Iraq113329bombings in Baghdad, Hilla, Basra, Balad, Jisr Diyala, Samarra, Mosul, Baiji, Rutba, Baquba, and Tuz Khormato, and armed attacks in Haditha
24 Jun 2004Iraq103324bombings in Mosul and Baghdad; armed attacks in Ramadi and Baquba
14 Oct 2017Mogadishu, Somalia587316truck bomb attack at intersection near hotels, restaurants, and government offices
15 Apr 2013Iraq41313multiple car bombings in Kirkuk, Tuz Khurmato, Baghdad, and other cities
13 Jun 2012Iraq9331216 car bombings during Shiite pilgrimage
26 Sep 1980Munich, FR Germany13312suicide bombing by Wehrsportsgruppe Neo-Nazi bomber
6 Mar 2007Hilla, Babil, Iraq137310two suicide bombings and additional attacks
3-4 Jan 2015Baga and Doro Gowon, Nigeria700300armed attack and arson of villages by Boko Haram
13 Jul 2018Mastung, Pakistan150300suicide bombing at election rally
2 Aug 1980Bologna, Italy85300Armed Revolutionary Nuclei bomb at railway station
1 Oct 1981Beirut, Lebanon83300car bombing by FLP of PLO office
14 Jul 1987Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan72300twin car bombs and two other bombs in shopping area
11 Aug 2013Baghdad, Iraq6130011 bombings at cafes, markets, and restaurants during religious festival
15 Dec 1976Baghdad, Iraq40300bombing at airport
16 Sep 1920New York City, New York, United States38300bomb in horse-drawn wagon exploded near Morgan bank in lower Manhattan
5 Mar 1998Columbo, Sri Lanka32300bombing of bus
26 Jun 2015Kuwait City, Kuwait27300suicide bombing at Shia mosque


Terrorist attacks with high numbers of children fatalities*

* Includes attacks resulting in at least 20 fatalities among children (ages 17 or less).

datelocationchild casualtiesall casualtiesdescription
killedinjuredkilledinjured
1-3 Sep 2004Beslan, Russia156337366747hostage taking and bombing at school (includes 35 terrorists killed)
16 Dec 2014Peshawar, Pakistan132121148124shooting and bombing attack on school
15 Apr 2017Rashidin, Syria80?126100suicide car bombing targeting buses carrying refugees
6 Nov 2007Baghlani-jadid, Afghanistan619377100suicide bombing at public ceremony
08 May 2021Kabul, Afghanistan60many90147car bombing outside Sayed Al-Shuhada high school followed by two more explosions; most victims were female students 11-14 years in age
22 Jul 2011Utoya and Oslo, Norway5040?77151car bombing in Oslo followed by shooting attack at youth political rally in Utoya
21 Apr 2019Colombo, Negombo, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka45many259500eight explosions on Easter Sunday: suicide bombings at St. Anthony’s Shrine and three hotels in Colombo, St. Sebastian’s church in Negombo, and a church in Batticaloa; two more explosions in Colombo as police pursued leads; at least 36 foreigners among those killed
6 Jul 2013Mamudo, Yobe, Nigeria41?42?shooting and arson attack on boarding school
7-9 Oct 2023Israel36?1,1945,074armed attacks and massacres by Hamas in Kibbutz Re'im, Kibbutz Be'eri, Kfar Aza, Ofakim, and other communities near Gaza border plus rocket attacks throughout central Israel
30 Sep 2004Baghdad, Iraq35724269car bombing at public ceremony
20 Aug 2016Gaziantep, Turkey34?5790ISIS suicide bombing of wedding
27 Mar 2016Lahore, Pakistan29?72200suicide bombing attack on amusement park
23 Nov 2017Bir al-Abed, Sinai, Egypt27?305128attack on mosque with bombs followed by shooting attack on fleeing survivors
29 Sep 2005Balad, Salah Al-Din, Iraq25?95101three car bombings at marketplace, bank, and police station
10 May 2009Busurungi, Congo Dem. Rep.25?8624armed attack on village
13 Jul 2005Baghdad, Iraq24202750car bombing of gathered children
25 Oct 2009Baghdad, Iraq246+155540twin vehicle bombing of government buildings
15 May 1974Ma'alot, Israel2066+27134PLO attack and hostage taking at Israeli collective farm
05 Jun 2021Solhan, Burkina Faso20?16040armed attack on village; at least 20 children among those killed; government reports indicate most attackers were child soldiers
16 Nov 1996Kaspiysk, Dagestan, Russia20?67?bombing of Russian border guard housing
16 Dec 2014Radaa, Bayda, Yemen20?31?twin car bombings, one striking a checkpoint while a schoolbus carrying primary schoolgirls was passing, second striking a tribal leader's house
14 Aug 2007Al-Qataniyah and Al-Adnaniyah, Iraqmanymany5201,500multiple truck bombings in villages
26-30 Jul 2009Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeriamanymany780?armed attack on city by Boko Haram
3-4 Jan 2015Baga and Doro Gowon, Nigeriamanymany700300armed attack and arson of villages by Boko Haram
20 Aug 1978Abadan, Iranmany047710arson of movie theater


Updated from "Selected Terrorist Incidents: U.S. and Abroad," version 5

Sources:


© 2000-2018, 2021 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 29 August 2021.
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