London Remembers 7/7 Bombings
Twenty years after the 7/7 bombings rocked London, survivors, officials, and citizens gathered to honour the 52 lives lost and the more than 770 injured. King Charles, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan marked the somber anniversary with tributes at Hyde Park and across key sites where the attacks occurred. A minute's silence was held at 08:49, the moment the first bomb exploded.
King Charles called for unity "against those who would seek to divide us," saying his prayers remain with everyone whose lives were forever changed that day. He praised the bravery of first responders and "the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness." Starmer echoed that message, stating, "Those who tried to divide us failed. We stood together then, and we stand together now."
While commemorating the victims, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper reminded the public that "Islamist extremist terrorism remains the greatest threat" to UK security, now joined by rising threats from right-wing extremism and cyberattacks. Survivors like Dan Biddle, who lost both legs, reflected on the trauma and the bravery of those who helped: “You’re thankful you’ve survived it… but there’s still this overwhelming sense of injustice.”
