10 most expensive terrorist attacks in history

Terrorism takes a huge toll on lives and property. It also has a detrimental effect on the economy of the affected country. Powerful terrorist attacks can be a real economic disaster for a country, affecting the local and even the global economy (depending on the type of attack and the chosen nation).

Terrorist attacks have direct economic consequences:

damage done to victims and the government,
adjustment costs,
anti-terrorist activities,
rehabilitation of victims,
insurance payments and other expenses.

There are also indirect consequences, for example, a fall in the exchange rate and oil prices. While the attack itself may be short-lived, the damage from it has lasting effects. For example, the damage suffered by the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on September 11 in the attack against the United States provoked a costly war in Iraq and other economic consequences.

The September attacks on the World Trade Center drew a worldwide response, forcing other countries to increase their security spending. For example, Austria went on to increase budgetary spending on national security and aid in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2001, the country has spent $ 21.3 billion on defense and aid in the Iraqi war.

Another indirect consequence of terrorist attacks may be the outflow of tourists. Terrorist attack on a hotel Taj Palace in Mumbai in 2008 affected tourism in the city and indirectly the economy of all of India. The July 7 bombings on public transport in Britain also led to a significant decrease in tourism revenues.

Carrying out a terrorist attack also requires costs, but they are much less in comparison with the damage caused. Let's take a look at 10 most expensive terrorist attacks in historybased on the loss of the insured property, the cost of restoration and other evaluation criteria. Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in the world, where blatant crime reigns and forget about visiting these places. You may be impressed by the article 10 most expensive accidents in history.

10. Attack on Taj Palace Hotel, Mumbai, India

November 26, 2008: more than $ 149 million

It is difficult to calculate the total economic damage from an attack by a terrorist group. "Lashkar-e-Taiba " to the hotel Taj Palace in Mumbai, India. The restoration of the hotel alone required $ 40 million. Insurance payments are estimated at $ 109 million. Additional losses from reduced business activity and tourism only increase the amount.

9. Hijacking planes at Dawson Field, Jordan

September 12, 1970: $ 165 million

At the former Royal Air Force base in the Zarqa Jordan Desert, Palestinian militants hijacked and detonated three planes. The captured passengers were released on 30 September. Insurance payments amounted to $ 165 million.

8. Explosion at Docklands, London

Feb 9, 1996: $ 336 million

The Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for the London Dockland bombing that destroyed a 6-story building and killed two people. Damage to insured property reached $ 336 million. A truck with a 500 kg bomb exploded, and the consequences of the explosion were felt in the territory of 800 meters around... The cost of the blast included a 17-month truce reached by the leaders of Britain, Ireland and America to restore calm to the region.

7. Explosions at Bandaranaike airport, Sri Lanka

July 24, 2001: $ 517 million

The 2001 bombings organized by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) at Colombo International Airport destroyed eight military aircraft and three passenger liners, not counting fatalities, damage to three civilian aircraft and several other Sri Lankan military aircraft at a nearby base.

The damage caused by the attacks was estimated at approximately $ 517 million.

6. Explosion at the World Trade Center

Feb 26, 1993: $ 810 million

In February 1993, Muslim terrorists detonated a truck bomb near one of the World Trade Center towers in response to US support for Israel. Human losses were minimal compared to the 2001 attacks, with six civilians killed and over a thousand injured.

Recovery costs were $ 810 million, making them one of the highest post-terrorist recovery costs.

5. Explosions in London

July 7, 2005: more than $ 1.2 billion

A series of suicide bombings on public transport in London cost the UK government $ 1.2 billion in losses from tourist outflows. Other costs included £ 4.6 million for interviewing witnesses, plus additional costs for rehabilitation and insurance coverage.

4. Explosion in the building of the Baltic Stock Exchange

London, April 10, 1992: over $ 2.2 billion

The Baltic Exchange Building in London is a maritime stock market that was attacked by the Irish Republican Army, which detonated a one-ton bomb in April 1992. The exchange building suffered extensive damage.

3. Explosion in Manchester

June 15, 1996: $ 966 million

The Irish Republican Army planted a car bomb in Manchester in June 1996 and destroyed a shopping center. 200 people were wounded by shrapnel. The total damage to the insured property was $ 996 million, and the entire area had to be rebuilt.

2. Explosions at Bishopsgate

London, April 24, 1993: over $ 1.2 billion.

The 1993 Irish Republican Army bombings in London's financial district caused devastation that cost £ 350 million. Additional damage to insured property resulted in total losses of more than $ 1.2 billion. By comparison, the cost of preparing the explosions was $ 4,800.

1. Explosions at the World Trade Center

September 11, 2001: $ 3 trillion

Undoubtedly, the most expensive terrorist attack the world has seen is 9/11. The attack on the World Trade Center cost Al-Qaeda about $ 500,000. According to the New York Times, the total losses to the US government were $ 3.3 trillion and more. Of course, most of the costs were government response and anti-terrorist measures.

Physical damage and recovery costs approached $ 55 billion, including damage to insured property. In addition, the cost of national security and related costs amounted to approximately $ 589 billion. The cumulative losses from business interruptions, reduced flights and tourist outflow are estimated at approximately $ 123 billion. Add to this $ 1.649 trillion in military funding and $ 867 million in expenses in a future war and veteran care and overall spending for the US government will add up to a staggering $ 3.3 trillion.