7/7 bombings remembered in London and across UK

Events and services are taking place across the UK to remember the 52 victims of the attack, who were murdered by four suicide bombers who targeted London’s transport network on 7 July 2005.

At a service in St Paul’s cathedral four candles were carried into the service by people who helped deal with the immediate aftermath of the bombings, including bus driver George Psaradakis and Dr Peter Holden, who provided medical care at the scene.

‘Ocean of pain’

The service featured reflections from people who were near the blast sites when the terrorist struck, including David Boyce, who was one of the first London Underground staff to realise a bomb had exploded near Russell Square.

He described how the area is home to the British Museum, the University of London, and is also a place where TS Eliot worked, saying: “Here, men and women seek understanding and their search for truth challenges the ignorance which casts so much darkness over our world.”

The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, said in an address: “Soon after 7/7 the families and friends of the victims compiled a book of tributes. It is a taste of the ocean of pain surrounding the loss of each one of the victims.

“The tribute book is also very revealing about the character of the London which the bombers attacked. The majority of the victims were young. They came from all over the UK and all over the world.”

Tributes

Flowers have been laid at underground stations near where the explosives were detonated.

Mr Psaradakis (pictured below), the driver of the number 30 bus which was blown up in Tavistock Square revisited the scene of the attack to lay his own floral tribute.

Transport services across the capital came to a brief halt at 11:30am to mark the anniversary.

‘Deadly threat’

On Tuesday morning Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson laid wreaths at the memorial to the victims in Hyde Park. Mr Cameron said: “Today the country comes together to remember the victims of one of the deadliest terrorist atrocities on mainland Britain.

“Ten years on from the 7/7 London attacks, the threat from terrorism continues to be as real as it is deadly – the murder of 30 innocent Britons whilst holidaying in Tunisia is a brutal reminder of that fact. But we will never be cowed by terrorism.

“We will keep on doing all that we can to keep the British public safe, protecting vulnerable young minds from others’ extremist beliefs and promoting the shared values of tolerance, love and respect that make Britain so great.”

‘Strength to strength’

Mr Johnson said the terrorists had “failed in their aim” and “didn’t in any way change the fundamentals of London and what makes this city great”.

“Indeed, it’s gone from strength to strength in the 10 years since,” he said. “I think most people would say that London has become even more cosmopolitan, even more welcoming.”

In Leeds, where three of the terrorist hailed from, the Lord Mayor of Leeds Judith Chapman said: “Three of the perpetrators came from Leeds yet they knew nothing of the values of this city or of tolerance, respect and democracy.

“They did not represent this city 10 years ago and they do not represent it now.”

Service was stopped at Wimbledon and England and Australia cricketers held a minute’s silence at their test match in Cardiff.