7/7 bombings: Britain stands resolute as it remembers victims a decade on

"It was the country’s worst ever terror attack but as memories were revived, survivors and the bereaved joined Royalty, dignitaries and the general public in sending a clear message that Britain will never cow to fanatics".

Britain fell silent on Tuesday to pay tribute to the 52 innocent people who lost their lives in July 7 outrage a decade ago.

The nation came together to mark the tenth anniversary of the 7/7 attacks in which four home-grown suicide bombers targeted commuters on three Tube trains and a London bus to devastating effect.

It was the country’s worst ever terror attack but as memories were revived, survivors and the bereaved joined Royalty, dignitaries and the general public in sending a clear message that Britain will never cow to fanatics

There were emotional scenes as those caught up or directly affected by the carnage in 2005 gathered at sites around London to remember and pay their respects.

At 11.30am, a national minute of silence was held after the names of the 52 victims were read out during a service at St Paul's Cathedral.

Tube trains and buses stopped, while tennis was delayed at Wimbledon. After the silence, petals were released from the dome of the cathedral and four candles were lit to symbolise the four blast sites.

Wreaths were laid at the 7/7 memorial at Hyde Park in the morning and followed later by a memorial service at the site.

Smaller, quieter moments of refection were also held at each of the attack sites at King’s Cross, Aldgate, Edgware Road and Tavistock Square.

One poignant voice that stood out was that of Emma Craig, who was aged just 14 when she was caught up in the Aldgate blast.

She wept as she spoke to other survivors and bereaved families in Hyde Park, where they were joined by the Duke of Cambridge.

Duke of Cambridge hug Emma Craig after her speech

Speaking of her ordeal for the first time, and now aged 24, she said: “All of us lost our innocence on that day, our naivety, the thought that 'something like that could never happen to me' or even to London."

In a deeply moving moment, she said: "Quite often, people say 'it didn't break us, terrorism won't break us'.

"The fact is it may not have broken London, but it did break some of us. Sometimes I feel that people are so hell-bent on trying to make a point about terrorism not breaking us that they forget about all the people that got caught up in it.

"Not for my sake, but for those who were killed on that day and their families ...may we never forget."

In a note attached to his wreath, Mr Cameron wrote: "To the victims of terrorism in London 10 years ago today. We grieve your loss and will honour your memory for ever."
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