Macabre Stories in the London Underground
Throughout much of the London Underground network, large mass graves dating back to the 16th century, the time of the bubonic plague or Black Death, have been discovered. During excavations for the construction of various lines such as the Bakerloo or Victoria lines, many of these graves have come to light. In some cases, the course of the works had to be changed to avoid them. Additionally, many people lost their lives during the construction of the Underground, and each year, hundreds of suicides occur as people throw themselves onto the tracks. Accidents, murders, terrorist acts, and even bombings during World War II have marked the history of the London Underground, making it truly macabre.
Paranormal Occurrences in the Underground
In the London Underground, there have been reports of all kinds of apparitions and sightings of entities and ghosts. Here are some of the most well-known:
- Vauxhall Station: The presence of a very tall worker who walks along the tracks has been reported.
- South Kensington: In 1928, a ghostly locomotive was seen.
- Northern Line (between Oval and Stockwell): The ghost of a worker murdered in the 1950s appears.
- Liverpool Street and King William Street Tunnel: Reports of strange occurrences.
More Paranormal Occurrences
- St. Pancras at King’s Cross: Apparitions related to the 1987 fire.
- Aldgate: High paranormal activity, built over a mass grave with more than 1000 bodies.
- Aldwych Tube: Ghost of an actress from the Royal Strand Theatre.
- Bakerloo Line: Passengers have reported ghostly reflections in the windows or presences in empty carriages.
- Bank and Monument Complex: Appearance of the “black nun”.
- Becontree: Appearance of a faceless blonde woman.
- Bethnal Green Tube: Sounds of crying children and women screaming, related to a past tragedy.
- Covent Garden: Ghost of William Terriss, murdered in 1897.
- Embankment Tube, Hyde Park Corner Underground Station, Ickenham Station, and Kennington Loop: Reports of paranormal occurrences.
- Farringdon: Screams of Ann Naylor, a 13-year-old girl murdered in 1758.
Additional Stories
- Moorgate: In 1975, a brake failure caused a train crash that killed 43 people. Since then, there have been reports of ghostly figures and unexplained sounds at the station.
- Leinster Gardens: Famous for its false facades, built to hide the steam train exhaust points.
- Charing Cross Station: It is said that the ghost of a man dressed in Victorian era clothes appears on the platforms.
- Elephant & Castle Station: The apparition of a man who vanishes into thin air has been reported.
- Green Park Station: Testimonies of a ghostly figure that seems to be searching for something.
- Highgate Station: Said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who committed suicide on the tracks. Night workers have reported screams and apparitions.
- King’s Cross Station: In addition to the incidents related to the 1987 fire, there are reports of a young woman screaming for help, possibly related to another historical incident.
- Whitechapel Station: Given its connection to the infamous Jack the Ripper murders, there are reports of apparitions and unsettling feelings at this station.
As you can see, the list is endless. Almost every station has a story to tell. I hope you don’t think of this post the next time you ride the Underground!
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