UK mourns on London Bridge attack anniversary

LONDON: Britain held a national minute of silence yesterday, one year on from the London Bridge terror attack that killed eight people and injured dozens more.

Flowers were laid, candles lit and a religious service held at Southwark Cathedral, the spot where three terrorists crashed after using a van to careen into crowds, before launching a stabbing spree at nearby Borough Market.

“Today, we remember those who died and many more who were injured, and pay tribute to the bravery of our emergency services and those who intervened or came to the aid of others,” said Prime Minister Theresa May.

She branded the attack “a cowardly attempt to strike at the heart of our freedoms by deliberately targeting people enjoying their night with friends and family” and noted that seven of the victims were foreign nationals.

“This is a reflection of our great cosmopolitan capital, whose energy and values brings together people from across the world, and a tragic reminder that the threat from terrorism transcends borders and impacts us all,” she said.

The words #LondonUnited was projected onto the bridge following a minute of silence.

Candles were lit by relatives of the victims during the ceremony before an olive tree, known as the Tree of Healing, is planted in the cathedral grounds using compost from floral tributes left on the bridge in the aftermath of the murders.

The tree will be “a constant reminder to us all of those who were harmed but also of the importance of our communities coming together to stand against violence in all its forms”, said the Dean of Southwark, Andrew Nunn, who hosted the service.