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The Independent
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Victims of July 7 attacks remembered 20 years on with service at St Paul's
The Prime Minister and Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were among those who gathered to mark the 20th anniversary of the July 7 London bombings at St Paul's Cathedral. Four co-ordinated attacks on three Tube trains and a double-decker bus killed 52 people and left several hundred injured in the worst single terrorist atrocity on British soil. Sir Keir and the royals were joined by Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, survivors, emergency responders and bereaved relatives at the commemorative ceremony. Earlier the Prime Minister and Sir Sadiq laid wreaths at the July 7 memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am on Monday, to coincide with the time that the first bomb went off. They were joined by officials including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Chief Constable of British Transport Police Lucy D'Orsi who also laid floral tributes. In a statement issued to mark the anniversary, Sir Keir 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. '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.' Mayor of London Sir Sadiq said Londoners 'will always choose hope over fear and unity over division'. 'We remember the 52 people whose lives were cruelly stolen on that dark day and our thoughts and prayers remain with all of their loved ones, as well as the more than 700 people who were injured by these cowardly acts of hatred. 'We also pay tribute to those who ran towards danger on that terrible day. 'From emergency service personnel, to transport workers and members of the public who showed incredible courage and compassion by putting their own safety at risk to help those in need, their bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten. 'Two decades on – as we unite for a day of commemoration – I have a clear message for those who seek to spread division and sow hatred – you will never win. 'London's determination to stand together is stronger than ever. We will always choose hope over fear and unity over division as we continue building a safer London for everyone.' In his message to mark the anniversary, the King said comfort can be taken from the 'spirit of unity' in London and the country more broadly, which has allowed the nation to heal. He said: 'Today, as we mark 20 years since the tragic events of 7th July 2005, 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 recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass.' 'In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day. 'The selfless bravery of our emergency services, transport workers, and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.' The King also stressed the importance of communities coming together in times of adversity. He said: 'While the horrors will never be forgotten, we may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together in solidarity, solace and determination. 'It is this spirit of unity that has helped London, and our nation, to heal. 'As we remember those we lost, let us, therefore, use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding, always standing firm against those who would seek to divide us.'
The Guardian
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
7/7 London terror attack victims remembered at 20th anniversary service
The prime minister and Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were among those who gathered at St Paul's Cathedral to mark the 20th anniversary of the 7 July London bombings. Four coordinated attacks on three tube trains and a double-decker bus killed 52 people and left several hundred injured in the worst single terrorist atrocity on British soil. Keir Starmer and the royals were joined by Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London; the home secretary, Yvette Cooper; survivors, emergency responders and bereaved relatives at the commemorative ceremony. Starmer and Khan laid wreaths at the 7 July memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am on Monday, to coincide with the time that the first bomb went off. They were joined by officials including the Metropolitan police commissioner, Mark Rowley, and the chief constable of the British Transport Police, Lucy D'Orsi, who also laid floral tributes. Survivors and relatives of those killed in the 7 July bombings spoke during the memorial service about how the areas involved in the attacks have changed in the past 20 years. They bowed at the altar after four candles – signifying the four sites of the bombings – Russell Square, Aldgate, Edgware Road and Tavistock Square – were carried through the cathedral by emergency services representatives. Ellie Patsalos, the wife of Prof Philip Patsalos, who lost a leg in the blast between King's Cross and Russell Square stations, spoke about Russell Square's history. She said: 'Here, men and women seek understanding and their search for truth challenges the ignorance which casts so much darkness over our world.' Tony Silvestro of the British Transport Police, who was at Aldgate station on 7 October helping survivors, talked about different immigrant communities who had worked and settled in the area, saying: 'Now, it is a busy crossroads of business and commerce with people of all faiths and none, trading and dealing with the rest of the world.' Rev Julie Nicholson, the mother of Jennifer Vanda Ann Nicholson, who died aged 24, said Edgware Road had been a refuge for Huguenot migrants and had a diverse ethnic history. She said it was 'cosmopolitan and proud of its ethnic mix and diverse resources'. George Psaradakis, the driver of the number 30 bus that was blown apart in the 2005 attacks, spoke about Tavistock Square and its memorials dedicated to victims and campaigners including Gandhi. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion In between each reflection, the choir sang a short piece. Graham Foulkes, the father of David Foulkes, who was killed in the 7 July attack at Edgware Road Station, said London has remained a place of hope through the people that live and visit the city. He said: 'These four pieces of London epitomise what is great about this city: an international crossroads of diversity and ingenuity, tolerance and respect, challenge and opportunity. 'When four bombs exploded on 7 July 2005, lives were destroyed and the flame of hope faltered for what seemed like an eternal moment. '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 – is fostered to produce a harvest of hope for each generation.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Victims of July 7 attacks remembered 20 years on with service at St Paul's
The Prime Minister and Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were among those who gathered to mark the 20th anniversary of the July 7 London bombings at St Paul's Cathedral. Four co-ordinated attacks on three Tube trains and a double-decker bus killed 52 people and left several hundred injured in the worst single terrorist atrocity on British soil. Sir Keir and the royals were joined by Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, survivors, emergency responders and bereaved relatives at the commemorative ceremony. Earlier the Prime Minister and Sir Sadiq laid wreaths at the July 7 memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am on Monday, to coincide with the time that the first bomb went off. They were joined by officials including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Chief Constable of British Transport Police Lucy D'Orsi who also laid floral tributes. In a statement issued to mark the anniversary, Sir Keir 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. '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.' Mayor of London Sir Sadiq said Londoners 'will always choose hope over fear and unity over division'. 'We remember the 52 people whose lives were cruelly stolen on that dark day and our thoughts and prayers remain with all of their loved ones, as well as the more than 700 people who were injured by these cowardly acts of hatred. 'We also pay tribute to those who ran towards danger on that terrible day. 'From emergency service personnel, to transport workers and members of the public who showed incredible courage and compassion by putting their own safety at risk to help those in need, their bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten. 'Two decades on – as we unite for a day of commemoration – I have a clear message for those who seek to spread division and sow hatred – you will never win. 'London's determination to stand together is stronger than ever. We will always choose hope over fear and unity over division as we continue building a safer London for everyone.' In his message to mark the anniversary, the King said comfort can be taken from the 'spirit of unity' in London and the country more broadly, which has allowed the nation to heal. He said: 'Today, as we mark 20 years since the tragic events of 7th July 2005, 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 recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass.' 'In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day. 'The selfless bravery of our emergency services, transport workers, and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.' The King also stressed the importance of communities coming together in times of adversity. He said: 'While the horrors will never be forgotten, we may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together in solidarity, solace and determination. 'It is this spirit of unity that has helped London, and our nation, to heal. 'As we remember those we lost, let us, therefore, use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding, always standing firm against those who would seek to divide us.'
The Sun
07-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Royal Family lead nation in remembering those who lost their lives in 7/7 terror attack 20 years ago
THE Royal Family have lead commemorations to victims of the 7/7 bombings, 20 years on from the shocking terror attack. Royals have joined senior figures and survivors of the brutal bombings at a memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral in London today as they remember those who lost their lives. 7 7 7 52 people were killed, and more than 770 were injured, when four suicide bombers detonated explosives across three Tube trains and on one bus during rush hour in central London on July 7, 2005. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh - attending on behalf of the King - have been spotted at the National Service of Commemoration in the capital this morning. Other royals, including Prince William, are expected to join the touching service, dedicated to the 52 innocent victims of what were Britain's first suicide bombings. The King, today, called on the nation to remember the "extraordinary courage and compassion" in the face of the attacks. He said: "Today, as we mark 20 years since the tragic events of 7th July 2005, 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 recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass. "In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day. "The selfless bravery of our emergency services, transport workers, and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst." King Charles has also called on the country to reaffirm its commitment to "building a society of all faiths and backgrounds, standing against those who seek to divide us". Inside 7/7 The story behind Britain's worst ever terror attack He also stressed the importance of communities coming together in times of difficulty. The monarch added: "While the horrors will never be forgotten, we may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together in solidarity, solace and determination. "It is this spirit of unity that has helped London, and our nation, to heal. "As we remember those we lost, let us therefore use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding, always standing firm against those who would seek to divide us." Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed Charles' remarks, focusing on the sense of community against division. He 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. "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." 7 7 7 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added: "Twenty years have passed since 7/7 but the passage of time makes what happened that day no less shocking. "It was an appalling attack on our capital city and on democracy itself. "As we come together to mark this anniversary, my thoughts remain with the victims, survivors and all who loved them. "Amid the horror of that day, we saw the best of people, our emergency services, first responders and ordinary Londoners who bravely acted to help one another. Their courage continues to inspire us.
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
King leads tributes on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings
The King has urged the nation to reflect on the "extraordinary courage and compassion" shown in the wake of the 7 July bombings, as the United Kingdom marks the 20th anniversary of the attacks. He highlighted the "spirit of unity" that emerged in London and across the country following the atrocities, which he said aided national healing. On 7 July 2005, four suicide bombers targeted London's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring over 770 across three underground trains and a bus. The monarch called for a renewed commitment to fostering a society of all faiths and backgrounds, standing firm against those who seek to sow division. Other members of the royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, are set to attend services and memorials to commemorate the anniversary.
