7/7 London bombings 10th anniversary: London’s authorities to hold series of commemorative events

London authorities putting the final plans in place for a series of events in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 bombings.

 

The 2005 terrorist attack claimed the lives of 52 people and injured hundreds more when bombs exploded on the Tube between Liverpool Street and Aldgate, Edgware Road and between King's Cross and Russell Square, as well one on a Number 30 bus by Tavistock Square. 

 

The Tube bombs went off within 50 seconds of each other, while the fourth bomb was detonated an hour later. 

 

Following an inquest in 2011 the 7/7 coroner Lady Hallett found that each one of the 52 innocent victims would have died ''whatever time the emergency services reached and rescued them'." 

 

Tonight Tessa Jowell – who had just been made Olympics minister, and was celebrating the UK's winning bid – will give the annual Tavistock Memorial lecture to mark the anniversary of the bombings. 

 

“The memory of winning the Olympics and then the devastating terror attacks are forever entwined in London's memory,” said Jowell. 

 

Organisers at the Tavistock Memorial Trust are also hoping to reach its £100,000 target to build a permanent memorial in Tavistock Square. So far the charity has raised £36,000. 

The survivors and the families of the victims have been invited to attend a service of commemoration in St Paul’s Cathedral at 11am on the day.

 

Staff from TfL, the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, the London Ambulance Service, British Transport Police and the City of London Police, who were caught up in the tragic day's events will also attend.

 

London mayor Boris Johnson and Prince Andrew are expected to join the service along with other senior figures. 

 

The service will be broadcast live on BBC1 from 10:30am.

The entire country is being invited to hold one minute's silence at 11:30am to reflect on the anniversary.  

On the same day a memorial will be held in Hyde Park at 2:30pm. This event is open to the general public, although certain areas will be reserved for the survivors and the victims’ families.

 

London mayor Boris Johnson's office said: “We have worked with the Foundation for Peace, the Tavistock Square Memorial Trust, St Botolph’s Church Aldgate, St Paul’s Cathedral, Russell Square, Brent Bereavement Services and all the emergency services to reach as many people affected by events on that day as possible.”

 

The anniversary comes as the UK is on high alert following attacks in Tunisia, France and Kuwait last week.

 

The assistant commissioner Mark Rowley, National Police Chiefs' Council lead for counter terrorism, said at the weekend:  "In the UK, the threat from international terrorism remains severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. Due to this level of threat the police service is already operating at a heightened state of alert and our security plans for public events reflect this readiness."