Thousands of petals fall in St Paul's to remember 52 victims of July 7 bombings on 20th anniversary

ITV News

10 hours ago

A remembrance service at St Paul's Cathedral was held to mark 20 years since London's transport network was hit by a coordinated terrorist attack, as ITV News' Martha Fairlie reports
Fifty-two thousand petals fell in St Paul's Cathedral during a service to remember those who died in the July 7 terrorist attacks in London 20 years ago.
Saba Edwards, daughter of Behnaz Mozakka - who died on the Piccadilly line, and Thelma Stober - who survived the Aldgate bomb, struggled to contain their emotions as they read the names of the 52 people who died as the petals floated down.
Ms Edwards stifled a sob and paused as she read her mother's name.
The moving tribute was paid during a memorial service on Monday, which was attended by bereaved relatives, survivors and emergency workers, as well as royalty and politicians.
Four suicide bombers targeted three Tube trains and a bus on July 7, 2005, in the worst single atrocity on British soil, killing 52 and injuring hundreds more.
The service was opened with a prayer read by Dean of St Paul's Cathedral the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, who said the attack "left deep scars in the soul of our capital".
He said, "We give thanks for the spirit of this city: its openness, its endurance, and its steadfast refusal to let the hatred prevail."
The congregation included Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Four candles representing the site of each attack were carried through the cathedral by representatives of the emergency services and placed in front of the altar.
They were carried by emergency responders Victor West from Transport for London; Helen Skeggs from the Metropolitan Police Service; Guy Tillotson from London Fire Brigade and Tracy Russell from London Ambulance Service.
Readings were given about the history of each of the parts of London that were targeted in the attacks.
Ellie Patsalos, wife of survivor Professor Philip Patsalos - who was around three feet from the bomb that went off in a train between Kings Cross and Russell Square, read the first passage.
This was followed by readings from Tony Silvestro, an emergency responder from British Transport Police who was called to Aldgate; Reverend Julie Nicholson, mother of musician Jennifer Valda Ann Nicholson who was killed at Edgware Road; and George Psaradakis, the driver of the bus that was blown up in Tavistock Square.
A conclusion was then read by Graham Foulkes, father of David Foulkes, who died at Edgware Road.
He said: "These four pieces of London epitomise what is great about this city: an international cross roads of diversity and ingenuity, tolerance and respect, challenge and opportunity. When four bombs exploded on July 7 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."
Later, prayers were given by those affected by the attacks - Azuma Wundowa whose mother Gladys Wundowa was killed in Tavistock Square; Philip Duckworth who survived the Aldgate bomb; Ken McAulay, Steve Keogh and Tony Moore from the Met Police, and Jo Dover, support expert for victims of terrorism.
A group of faith leaders also made a statement to say "we stand united in our determination to resist and overcome the evil of terrorism".