07/07/2006

Nation remembers July 7 bombings

Britain has commemorated the first anniversary of the London bombings with a series of events in the capital.

The programme of events got underway at 08:50 BST when London Mayor Ken Livingstone was joined by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell to lay flowers at King's Cross station, marking the moment when suicide bombers exploded three bombs on Tube trains, between Liverpool Street and Edgeware Road stations and between King's Cross and Russell Square.

Mr Livingstone then laid flowers at the site of the Number 30 bus bombing in Tavistock Square at the time of the explosion - 09:47 BST - accompanied by bus driver George Psradakis.

A two-minute silence was held across Britain at noon and other events included the unveiling of five memorial plaques at King's Cross, Russell Square, Edgeware Road, Aldgate and Tavistock Square at 11:30 BST, and a private ceremony for bereaved families.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the anniversary was an opportunity for "the whole nation to come together".

The day of events will be rounded off by a public ceremony in Regent's Park at 18:00 BST. A floral mosaic has been created at the park, where the bereaved, survivors and members of the public can lay flowers in tribute to those who died.

There has been an increased police presence in London on the first anniversary of the bombings.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair warned that the prospect of another terror attack in London was "very real".

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Sir Ian said that he thought there would be further attacks in the UK.

Fifty-two people were killed and hundreds more were injured when four bombs exploded on three Tube trains and a bus in London on July 7 last year.

(KMcA)

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