Summary

Media caption,

Names of 7/7 London bombing victims read aloud

  1. Our 7/7 anniversary live coverage draws to a closepublished at 15:46 British Summer Time 7 July

    Shot of the 7 July MemorialImage source, EPA/Shutterstock

    Our live coverage of events marking the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings is coming to a close.

    The day has seen sombre reflections at the four sites across central London where the bombings took place to remember the 52 people who died. Wreaths were also laid at the 7 July Memorial in Hyde Park.

    Political and community leaders, as well as members of the Royal Family, then joined with survivors and families of the bereaved at a national memorial event at St Paul's Cathedral.

    You can keep up with the latest coverage here, and read an in depth piece from Dominic Casciani reflecting on whether the UK is safer 20 years on from the 7/7 attacks here.

    BBC London News will also be live from Hyde Park at 18:30 for a special programme rounding up the day's events - watch on BBC iPlayer.

  2. In pictures: London marks a sombre anniversarypublished at 15:29 British Summer Time 7 July

    We're soon going to be ending our live coverage of the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings.

    But before we go, let's a look back at some of the events that have been taking place across the capital to mark this sombre occasion.

    A man in a baseball cap approaches the tall thin pillars of the 7/7 Memorial at Hyde Park in LondonImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    The pillars of the 7/7 Memorial at Hyde Park in London were decorated with bouquets and wreaths of flowers

    Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mayor of London Sadiq KhanImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    The prime minister and mayor of London were among the politicians and dignitaries who attended a memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral

    Spectators observe a minute of silence to mark the 20th anniversary of the deadly July 7, 2005 London bombings ahead of the day's playImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Spectators observe a minute of silence ahead of the day's play at Wimbledon

  3. 'All the things you do stems from what happened on that day'published at 15:19 British Summer Time 7 July

    Katy Prickett
    BBC News, Hertfordshire

    Marina Berry-DealeyImage source, Marina Berry-Dealey

    "It's taken me 20 years to realise all the things you do, how you think, stems from what happened on that day," says Marina Berry-Dealey.

    On 7 July 2005, the then 20-year-old was taking part in her usual commute from Hertfordshire to Leicester Square in the heart of London's West End when a bomb went off, plunging her Tube carriage into smoke-filled darkness.

    "I think it almost rewired my brain from a PTSD perspective - I do catastrophise the little things most people wouldn't give a second thought," she says.

    "Because what are the chances of a bomb being on a train? And when it does [go off] and you're there and witnessing the trauma of that situation, you do naturally over-think every scenario."

  4. Survivor recounts how returning to Tavistock Square 'is really important'published at 15:08 British Summer Time 7 July

    Harry Low
    BBC London, reporting from Tavistock Square

    Wreaths are laid at Tavistock Square. There are white roses as well as sunflowersImage source, Harry Low/BBC
    Image caption,

    People have been leaving wreaths throughout the day to commemorate the victims of the 7/7 attacks

    Twenty years ago, Phil Smith was travelling on the bus in front of the number 30, which was blown apart in the 2005 London attacks.

    This morning, he made the journey back to Tavistock Square Gardens from Dorking in Surrey. Retracing his steps from 7 July 2005, he tells me how he was thinking of those who lost a loved one on that day.

    “To this day, I still can't look at that picture, I find it very distressing, it still hurts,” he says.

    “I put this in my diary a long time ago and coming back to Tavistock Square is something that is really important to me.

    “I'm very pleased to have been able to come back today and join in the wreath laying that's going on.”

    On the prime minister’s visit, he adds: “I thought that was very moving, that he would give up some of his time to actually be here.”

  5. Victims of 7/7 attacks remembered in poignant readingpublished at 14:46 British Summer Time 7 July

    Earlier, 52,000 white petals fluttered down from the ceiling of St Paul's Cathedral as the daughter of a woman who died in the 7/7 attacks read the names of those killed on the Piccadilly Line.

    For a moment, Saba Edwards' voice cracked when she reached her mother's name - Behnaz Mozakka.

    Next, survivor Thelma Stober, read out the names of the thirteen people killed on the Circle Line.

    Finally, Stober read aloud the names of those killed by the fourth blast - on a bus at Tavistock Square.

  6. 7/7 bus driver: Olympic joy turned to barbaric daypublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 7 July

    Tom Edwards
    Transport correspondent, London

    George Psaradakis in a mauve tie, grey suit and black glasses sits on a bench in a park with a tree trunk behind him.

    George Psaradakis, partway through his bus route in central London on a summer's morning in July 2005, was happily thinking about the city's successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics.

    He could hear his passengers chatting about it too, contributing to a general air of optimism on the number 30 service.

    In a matter of minutes, 13 of those passengers would be dead.

    Psaradakis turned into Tavistock Square, and the bus was ripped apart by a bomb.

    Now 70, the Greek-born Londoner, who was uninjured in the blast, remembers a "macabre day, a gruesome day".

    He has recently left London to retire in Cyprus, but he says that he's returned to the city for the 20th anniversary of the attacks to pay his respects to those who died.

    "We must remember all those innocent people who lost their lives," he said. "Their souls - they are alive. For me, I believe they are in the arms of God in paradise."

    A bus has its roof blown off with debris all aroundImage source, Dylan Martinez/Reuters/Pool/PA
    Image caption,

    A device exploded on the 30 bus that had been diverted via Tavistock Square

  7. 'Decisions on Tavistock Square still haunt me'published at 14:10 British Summer Time 7 July

    James W Kelly
    BBC London

    Peter Holden

    Among the first to respond to the bus bombing on Tavistock Square were the doctors and staff working at the British Medical Association (BMA) headquarters.

    "The memories of 7/7 won't go away but they're dimming with time," says Peter Holden, a GP and treasurer at the BMA.

    "I think the biggest memory for me is the teamwork that just gelled instantly. People pulled together, they understood the command and control structure, which for a bunch of doctors is quite an achievement," he says.

    Despite being full of doctors, Dr Holden says the building was "just an office" and high-standard medical supplies did not arrive until 40 minutes later.

    He says the decision to declare some patients as priority four - meaning they were unlikely to be saved and deprioritised in favour of those who could be - "still haunts him".

    "But we ended up with everybody who had a chance to survive or leaving us in better shape than they arrived," Dr Holden adds.

  8. In pictures: Political leaders leave St Paul's Cathedral memorial servicepublished at 13:55 British Summer Time 7 July

    As the memorial service wrapped up at St Paul's Cathedral a short while ago, we again caught a glimpse of political leaders, both past and present, who were in attendance.

    Here's a look at some of those figures leaving the Cathedral.

    Sir Sadiq Khan and Sir Keir Starmer leave St Paul's CathedralImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and PM Keir Starmer were among those attending the memorial service at St Paul's

    Tony Blair, Kemi Badenoch, Wes Streeting, Heidi Alexander and Yvette Cooper leave St Paul'sImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Cabinet ministers were joined by ex-PM Tony Blair and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch

    Baroness Theresa May seen leaving St Pauls'Image source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Former PM Theresa May was also in attendance

  9. 'During the minute’s silence, I just focused on my sister'published at 13:46 British Summer Time 7 July

    Harry Low
    BBC London, reporting from Tavistock Square

    Esther and Miriam HymanImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Esther Hyman (left) joined others at Tavistock Square to pay tribute to her sister Miriam (right) who died on the number 30 bus

    Esther Hyman joined dozens of people at Tavistock Square earlier this morning to pay tribute to her sister Miriam who was 32 when she was killed when the bomb detonated on the number 30 bus.

    “It's incredibly touching that not only so many people turned up who are related to the events of the day, including the fire service,” she says, “but I wasn't expecting the prime minister to come, to be honest with you.

    “That was a complete surprise - we really are grateful for that acknowledgement.”

    The 56-year-old adds: “During the minute’s silence, I just focused on my sister and the other people who were killed here and everyone who was affected by it and I just tried to let my feelings of love be transmitted to them wherever they are.”

  10. Key moments from the day so far as London remembers 20 years onpublished at 13:35 British Summer Time 7 July

    Chief Constable of the British Transport Police Lucy D'Orsi (L), Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service Sir Mark Rowley (C) and Commissioner of City of London Police Pete O'DohertyImage source, Getty Images

    It has just gone past 13:30 here in London - if you are just joining our coverage let's bring you up-to-speed with the key developments so far today and what is still to come:

    • A service of remembrance has been held at St Paul's Cathedral to mark 20 years since a series of bombs killed 52 people and injured hundreds more on 7 July 2005
    • One by one, the names of each of the victims who died were read out by Saba Edwards, daughter of Behnaz Mozakka - who died on the Piccadilly line, and Thelma Stober - who survived the Aldgate blast
    • Sir Keir Starmer joined survivors of the bombing for the service; former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Baroness Theresa May, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh; Sir Sadiq Khan and the leader of the Conservatives Kemi Badenoch were also in attendance
    • Earlier in the day just before 09:00, the prime minister and the mayor of London laid wreaths at the 7/7 memorial in Hyde Park
    • Ahead of events to commemorate the anniversary, King Charles urged people to remember the "extraordinary courage and compassion" that emerged in response to the attacks on the transport network by Islamist extremists
    • Further events at Hyde Park are due to be held and BBC London will have a special programme on BBC One at 18:30 which you can also watch on the iPlayer
  11. 'Surviving the 7/7 attacks changed my life'published at 13:20 British Summer Time 7 July

    Matt Knight
    BBC News, Essex

    Bill Mann

    Bill Mann was travelling in a Tube carriage on his way to work in Paddington when a bomb was detonated as the train came into Edgware Road station.

    "My first memory is actually of flying through the air to the opposite doorway. I thought: 'is this it, is this where it all ends?'

    "There was a brief pause, a brief moment of silence, and then the screaming started and I'll always remember it because there were two distinct screams.

    "I could hear the screams of people in the carriage that were just hysterical, but I could also hear the screams of the people that were badly injured and dying and they were very, very different."

    He survived with minor injuries, but he says the blast made him realise what mattered in his life.

    "The only things I wanted to live for were the things that money couldn't buy," he says.

    "I wanted to be here to have dinner with the kids in the evening, read them books, put them to bed, and I could do all those things regardless of what house I'm living in and what car I drive."

  12. Survivor makes first return to Edgware Road station in 20 yearspublished at 13:07 British Summer Time 7 July

    Gem O'Reilly
    BBC London, reporting from Edgware Road

    For survivors of the 7/7 bombings, the journeys to today's memorial events across central London take on added significance.

    Liz Owen told me that today was the first time she has travelled to Edgware Road by Tube since the attacks.

    "It's very emotional," she says.

    "I've just taken a picture of the glass roof because I think I'm not alone in when we were stretchered off the train, and obviously you're looking up at the sky, and having the brilliant light coming through the glass ceilings here is quite a moving thing to experience."

    Owen says she met with two others who had been injured alongside her on the train ahead of the event, as well as a man who was on the next train, who she says "broke windows and opened doors" in order to help.

  13. In pictures: Minute's silence observed at Wimbledonpublished at 12:57 British Summer Time 7 July

    Earlier today, a minute's silence was observed at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon to remember the 7/7 victims.

    Emergency personnel mark minute's silenceImage source, Reuters
    Emergency personnel mark minute's silenceImage source, Reuters
    People at Wimbledon observe minute's silenceImage source, Reuters
    London Fire Brigade personnel at WimbledonImage source, ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA/Shutterstock
  14. Memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral endspublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 7 July

    People file out of St Paul's Cathedral after a memorial service ends.

    The Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, concludes the memorial service with a prayer.

    This is followed by the congregation and choir singing the national anthem God Save the King.

    Candles are then picked up and carried back along the central aisle at St Paul's Cathedral.

    A reminder, there are more events planned at Hyde Park later today, which we will also be covering - so stay with us.

  15. Silence falls over St Paul's as prayers read outpublished at 12:36 British Summer Time 7 July

    The Cathedral falls silent once more as prayers are read out in memory of those who died, those who survived and those who witnessed what happened 20 years ago today.

    People sit in chairs at St Paul's during a memorial service
    Image caption,

    People look on as prayers are read out inside St Paul's Cathedral

  16. 'I was completely unaware I was stood next to the bomber'published at 12:31 British Summer Time 7 July

    James W Kelly
    BBC London

    Thelma Stober

    For Thelma Stober, July 2005 brings a mix of emotions.

    We just heard from Stober, as she was one of the two women who read out the names of the people killed 20 years ago in the 7/7 attacks.

    On 6 July, London was named as the host city of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games - a bid she worked on as senior legal advisor.

    She told BBC London ahead of today's service that the news was "momentous" and left her "incredibly happy".

    However, it also triggered a change in plans that the following day would place her next to one of the four bombers on the Circle line carriage at Aldgate.

    When the bomb detonated, she was thrown on to the tracks, partly underneath the train with a piece of the train door impaled in her right thigh and left foot twisted backwards.

    "I was thinking of my son, my mother, my husband.

    "And I worked so hard on the Olympics - I wanted to get back to continue my work on the Olympics," she says.

    She says the memory of that day is still "vividly clear".

    "If I could have amnesia permanently to eliminate everything about the incidents, I would."

  17. 'The good that is in Londoners is not erased by hatred or threat'published at 12:24 British Summer Time 7 July

    Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally

    We're now hearing from the Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally, who begins by saying the memorial service has heard "beautiful and heartfelt words" throughout the morning.

    She says: "Words which have reminded us of the miracle of being human and being together.

    "Words which have gone some way to expressing the immeasurable loss, grief and pain experienced by so many here."

    She centres the last part of her reading on "one word - hope".

    "The good that is in Londoners is not erased by hatred or threat."

    "Hope presents itself as a survival tool for the tenacity of the spirit that is in all of us," she says.

  18. In pictures: Packed pews and choral singingpublished at 12:20 British Summer Time 7 July

    Let's bring you some more photos from inside St Paul's.

    The service is well under way now, and the list of those who died on 7 July 2005 have just finished being read out.

    An aerial view of St Paul's show people seated in pews
    Image caption,

    Public figures, including the prime minister and leader of the opposition, are seated in St Paul's Cathedral

    A woman wearing read stands behind a lectern, to the left of an altar.
    Image caption,

    The list of names of those killed in the attack are read out as white pieces of paper falls from the ceiling

  19. Name by name, victims of the 7/7 attacks rememberedpublished at 12:12 British Summer Time 7 July

    White pieces of paper falls from the ceiling of St Paul's Cathedral

    Fifty-two thousand white petals fell from the ceiling of the dome and balconies of St Paul's Cathedral as the daughter of a woman who died reads out the names of those killed on the Piccadilly Line service between King's Cross and Russell Square.

    For a moment, Saba Edwards' voice cracks when she got to her mother Behnaz Mozakka's name.

    Next another survivor Thelma Stober, reads out the names of the seven killed on the Circle Line train between Liverpool Street and Aldgate; then the six who died at Edgware Road.

    Finally, she reads the names of those killed by the fourth blast - on a bus at Tavistock Square.

    The sound of the organ then picks back up as candles flicker in the background.

  20. 'Edgware Road is proud of its ethnic mix and diverse resources'published at 12:03 British Summer Time 7 July

    Woman does a reading at the 7/7 memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral

    In between short bursts of music from the choir, there are more readings, this time about the locations which were devastated by blasts 20 years ago.

    First, one man talks through the history of Aldgate followed by a woman who tells the memorial service about the roots of Edgware Road and the different cultures which have called the area home over the decades.

    "Edgware Road is cosmopolitan and proud of its ethnic mix and diverse resources," she says.

    Next, a third man talks about the significance of a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Tavistock Square and the presence of the headquarters of the British Medical Association.