Britain unites to remember victims of 7/7 bombings on 20th anniversary as Royals, PM and survivors vow never to forget
PRINCE William led tributes to 7/7 Tube and bus bomb victims as the nation came together to mark 20 years since the 7/7 bombings.
Survivors, families who lost loved ones, first responders, the Royal Family and senior politicians united to remember those who died in the terror which gripped the capital.
On July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers hit London’s transport network, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770 on three London Underground trains and a bus.
The attacks were the first suicide bombings on British soil and changed the country’s response to terror forever.
In a statement issued to mark the anniversary, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Today, the whole country will unite to remember the lives lost in the 7/7 attacks, and all those whose lives were changed forever.
“We honour the courage shown that day — the bravery of the emergency services, the strength of survivors and the unity of Londoners in the face of terror.
My heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer’s day. King Charles
“Those who tried to divide us failed. We stood together then, and we stand together now — against hate and for the values that define us of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.”
Prince William met survivors and relatives of victims to lay flowers at the permanent memorial in Hyde Park yesterday afternoon.
William, 43, joined up to 500 survivors of the bombings and families of the victims for a moving service.
He spoke with Thelma Stober, one of the survivors, and Gerald Oppenheim, chairman of the London Emergencies Trust.
Jill Foulkes, sister of victim David Foulkes, said that grief never got easier but that the loss and the pain changed over the years.
Her brother died on his first visit to London on his own.
His father, Graham, said: “For many people, nothing was the same again and yet everything was the same — because the good which is in Londoners and the countless visitors whom they host at any given moment is not erased by hatred or threat.
“But rather it is fostered to produce a harvest of hope for each generation.”
June Taylor, whose daughter Carrie died aged 24 at Aldgate station, told those gathered: “Don’t take for granted what you have but treasure every minute.”
Earlier in the day, Sir Keir and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan laid wreaths at the memorial at 8.50am, to coincide with the moment that the first bomb went off.
The Prime Minister left on top of white flowers a handwritten note, which read: “Our thoughts are with all those who lost their lives and to the survivors of 7/7.
“Twenty years on, we grieve and we remember them.”
Officials including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Chief Constable of British Transport Police Lucy D’Orsi also laid floral tributes.
In a poignant memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday morning, 52,000 white petals rained down from the ceiling while a list of victims was read out.
Saba Edwards, the daughter of victim Behnaz Mozakka, read out the names of those killed on the Piccadilly line service between King’s Cross and Russell Square.
The attack was the deadliest of the four launched that day, with 26 people killed by Germaine Lindsay when he blew himself up by detonating his bomb just after the train left the station at 8.49am.
Ms Edwards’ voice cracked slightly as she got to her mother’s name among the list of victims.
I remain angry. Laura was denied the opportunity of a life that me and my brother have been lucky enough to have. Rob Webb
Survivor Ms Stober then read out the names of the seven killed on the Circle Line train between Liverpool Street and Aldgate, the six who died at Edgware Road, and the 13 who lost their lives on a bus at Tavistock Square.
Shehzad Tanweer detonated his bomb on the Circle Line between Liverpool Street and Aldgate at 8.49am, with ringleader Mohammad Sidique Khan doing so on a Circle line train near Edgware Road.
Confusion initially led to the attacks being perceived as a power surge before it became clear that it was a bombing attack, carried out by home-grown terrorists.
The last of the attacks took place on the number 30 bus not far from King’s Cross, at about 9.47am.
Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, represented the King during the service yesterday.
Charles issued a statement, highlighting comfort could be taken from the “spirit of unity” in London and the country, which allowed the nation to heal.
He said: “My heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer’s day.
“We remember with profound sadness the 52 innocent people who were killed in senseless acts of evil — and the enduring grief of their loved ones.
“We should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion.
“We recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass.
“The selfless bravery of emergency services, transport workers, and citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.”
Senior politicians in attendance included Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and former PMs Tony Blair and Theresa May.
Rob Webb, whose younger sister Laura was killed at Edgware Road, called 7/7 “an attack on all of us” that should never be forgotten.
He added: “I remain angry. Laura was denied the opportunity of a life that me and my brother have been lucky enough to have.”
Bishop of London the Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally said the message was one of hope, adding: “The good that is in Londoners is not erased by hatred or threat.
“Hope presents itself as a survival tool for the tenacity of the spirit that’s in us all.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper vowed to “always confront the threats facing this country”.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq said Londoners “will always choose hope over fear and unity over division”.
He added: “We remember the 52 people whose lives were stolen and our thoughts and prayers remain with their loved ones, and the more than 700 people injured by these cowardly acts of hatred.”
EDGWARE ROAD
TAVISTOCK SQUARE
ALDGATE
KING’S CROSS
