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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
52,000 petals fall in St Paul's to remember 52 victims of 7/7 bombings 20 years on
As the white petals fell from the dome of St Paul's, so did the tears. The Prime Minister and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined victims' families, survivors and emergency workers at St Paul's Cathedral yesterday to mark the 20th anniversary of the July 7 London bombings. During the memorial service, the cathedral was filled with 52,000 white petals fluttering through the air like snow flakes as the names of the 52 dead were read out. One victim's daughter, Saba Edwards, stoically read the names of those who died on the Piccadilly Line bombing, but her voice cracked and she was unable to hold back the tears as she came to her own mother Behnaz Mozakka. Thelma Stober – who survived the Aldgate bomb but suffered life-changing injuries including the loss of her lower left leg – struggled to contain her emotions as she also read the names. During the emotional service, tributes were paid to those who lost their lives as well as the hundreds injured in the attacks on three Tube trains and a double-decker bus in the worst single terrorist atrocity on British soil. Survivors and relatives of those killed in the bombings spoke movingly about how the areas involved in the attacks have changed in the past 20 years. Ellie Patsalos, the wife of Professor Philip Patsalos, who lost a leg in the blast between King's Cross and Russell Square stations, said: 'Here, men and women seek understanding and their search for truth challenges the ignorance which casts so much darkness over our world.' With Keir Starmer at the commemorative ceremony were Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Yesterday the Prime Minister laid wreaths at the July 7 memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am to coincide with the time the first bomb went off. He was joined by officials including Scotland Yard Commissioner Mark Rowley, and the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police Lucy D'Orsi. Prince William was also at the Hyde Park memorial, laying a floral tribute and listening to testimonies given by family members of those who died and people present at the attacks. 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: freedom, democracy and the rule of law.' The Home Secretary 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.' Sir Sadiq said Londoners 'will always choose hope over fear and unity over division'. He added, 'We also pay tribute to those who ran towards danger on that terrible day... their bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Thousands of petals fall to remember 7 July victims 20 years on
Fifty-two thousand petals fell in St Paul's Cathedral as families and survivors remembered those who died in the 7 July terrorist attacks in London 20 years ago. Four bombers targeted three Tube trains and a bus in 2005 in the worst single atrocity in Britain, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds more. The daughter of a woman who died near King's Cross broke down as she read out her mother's name during the memorial service. Saba Edwards's voice cracked as she started reading the names of those who died, and when she got to her mother Behnaz Mozakka's name, she began to sob and had to briefly pause. Thelma Stober, who survived the Aldgate bomb, took over reading the names, but her voice also strained. The petals landed on the heads and shoulders of the congregation, who did not brush them off, before the cathedral fell into a minute of silence. Four candles representing the site of each attack were carried through the cathedral by members of the emergency services and placed in front of the altar. 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 King's 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: "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." The 1,200-strong congregation included bereaved relatives, survivors and emergency workers who were there on the day. Read more: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were among those who attended the service. The prime minister and Sir Sadiq also laid wreaths at the 7 July memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am, to coincide with the time the first bomb went off.
Sky News
3 days ago
- Sky News
Thousands of petals fall to remember 7 July victims 20 years on
Fifty-two thousand petals fell in St Paul's Cathedral as families and survivors remembered those who died in the 7 July terrorist attacks in London 20 years ago. Four bombers targeted three Tube trains and a bus in 2005 in the worst single atrocity in Britain, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds more. The daughter of a woman who died near King's Cross broke down as she read out her mother's name during the memorial service. Saba Edwards's voice cracked as she started reading the names of those who died, and when she got to her mother Behnaz Mozakka's name, she began to sob and had to briefly pause. Thelma Stober, who survived the Aldgate bomb, took over reading the names, but her voice also strained. The petals landed on the heads and shoulders of the congregation, who did not brush them off, before the cathedral fell into a minute of silence. Four candles representing the site of each attack were carried through the cathedral by members of the emergency services and placed in front of the altar. 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 King's 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. 3:10 A conclusion was then read by Graham Foulkes, father of David Foulkes, who died at Edgware Road. He said: "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." The 1,200-strong congregation included bereaved relatives, survivors and emergency workers who were there on the day. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were among those who attended the service. The prime minister and Sir Sadiq also laid wreaths at the 7 July memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am, to coincide with the time the first bomb went off.
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Thousands of petals fall in cathedral as 52 victims of July 7 remembered
Fifty-two thousand petals fell in St Paul's Cathedral as tribute was paid to 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 fell. 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 that included readings by Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, as well as a 1,200-strong congregation including bereaved relatives, survivors and emergency workers who were there on the day. Four bombers targeted three Tube trains and a bus in the worst single atrocity on British soil, killing 52 and injuring hundreds more. The service was opened with a bidding prayer read by Dean of St Paul's Cathedral the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, who said: 'We gather in this Cathedral Church to mark the solemn anniversary of an act of terror inflicted on our city on this day twenty years ago. 'Together with friends from many other regions and nations, we continue to commemorate a moment in time that left deep scars in the soul of our capital. 'We come to honour the memory of those who died, to stand alongside the survivors, to give thanks for those who responded with courage and compassion, and to renew our shared commitment to peace, justice, and reconciliation. 'Here, beneath the dome of this great church, so often a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity, we hold in our hearts the grief of the past and the hope of the future. 'We give thanks for the spirit of this city: its openness, its endurance, and its steadfast refusal to let the hatred prevail.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Sir Sadiq, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were among those who attended the service. 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'. They were the Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally; Islamic Scholar Shaykh Mohammed Mahmoud; Rena Amin from Hindu temple BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir; Rabbi Jason Kleiman from Pinner United Synagogue; Harmeet Singh Gill, General Secretary of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall; and the Right Reverend Paul McAleenan, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Thousands of petals fall in cathedral as 52 victims of July 7 remembered
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 fell. 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 that included readings by Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, as well as a 1,200-strong congregation including bereaved relatives, survivors and emergency workers who were there on the day. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive to attend the service. (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Four bombers targeted three Tube trains and a bus in the worst single atrocity on British soil, killing 52 and injuring hundreds more. The service was opened with a bidding prayer read by Dean of St Paul's Cathedral the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, who said: 'We gather in this Cathedral Church to mark the solemn anniversary of an act of terror inflicted on our city on this day twenty years ago. 'Together with friends from many other regions and nations, we continue to commemorate a moment in time that left deep scars in the soul of our capital. 'We come to honour the memory of those who died, to stand alongside the survivors, to give thanks for those who responded with courage and compassion, and to renew our shared commitment to peace, justice, and reconciliation. 'Here, beneath the dome of this great church, so often a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity, we hold in our hearts the grief of the past and the hope of the future. 'We give thanks for the spirit of this city: its openness, its endurance, and its steadfast refusal to let the hatred prevail.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Sir Sadiq, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were among those who attended the service. 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'. They were the Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally; Islamic Scholar Shaykh Mohammed Mahmoud; Rena Amin from Hindu temple BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir; Rabbi Jason Kleiman from Pinner United Synagogue; Harmeet Singh Gill, General Secretary of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall; and the Right Reverend Paul McAleenan, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster.
