Prime Minister Theresa May and London Mayor Sadiq Khan have attended a service marking the first anniversary of the London Bridge terror attack in which eight people were killed.
A 700-strong congregation at Southwark Cathedral this afternoon remembered those who died and were hurt and honoured the emergency services’ response to the attack last year.
Dozens more were injured during the June 3 violence when a terrorist trio drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing revellers in nearby Borough Market with 12-inch ceramic knives.
Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were shot dead by police just eight minutes after the first emergency call was made.
After today’s service there was a procession from the cathedral to Southwark Needle, at the corner of London Bridge and Duke Street Hill, where a minute’s silence was held at 4.30pm.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Prime Minister Theresa May and Home Secretary Sajid Javid (left to right) at Southwark Gateway Needle. Mrs May and Mr Javid bow their heads during the minute’s silence
A minute’s silence is held at the corner of London Bridge and Duke Street Hill at today’s commemoration
Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at Southwark Cathedral today to attend a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the London Bridge terror attack
Crowds gather at London Bridge for a minute’s silence for the victims of the terror attack last year
Home Secretary Sajid Javid also attended Southwark Cathedral for the service, along with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott.
Candles were lit by relatives of the victims during the private ceremony, before an olive tree – known as the Tree of Healing – was planted in the cathedral grounds using compost from floral tributes left on the bridge.
A floral wreath from Prime Minister Theresa May laid at Southwark Needle read: ‘We will never forget those who died and will never surrender to hatred and division.’
Sadiq Khan’s tribute read: ‘Our city will never forget you. We stand united against terrorism and together in remembering the innocent lives lost.’
Ahead of the day’s commemorative events, the Prime Minister recalled the ‘stories of courage’ which emerged from the attack.
She described it as a ‘cowardly attempt to strike at the heart of our freedoms by deliberately targeting people enjoying their Saturday night with friends and family’.
Mrs May said: ‘Today we remember those who died and the many more who were injured, and also pay tribute to the bravery of our emergency services and those who intervened or came to the aid of others.
‘The many stories of courage demonstrated that night will always stay with me – such as Ignacio Echeverria, who died after confronting the terrorists with the only thing he had, his skateboard, and Geoff Ho, who spent almost two weeks in hospital after being stabbed in the neck as he shielded his friends.’
Theresa May arrives at Southwark Cathedral for the service of commemoration to remember the victims of the London Bridge attack
Prime Minister Theresa May speaks to Dean of Southwark Andrew Nunn as she arrives for the London Bridge commemoration ceremony
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott arrive for the service
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott arrive for the service
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan at a service of commemoration at Southwark Cathedral today
Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, arrives for today’s service
Home Secretary Sajid Javid arrives at Southwark Cathedral to attend the London Bridge terror attack commemoration service
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks to Dean of Southwark Andrew Nunn as he arrives for the commemoration service at Southwark Cathedral
Dean of Southwark Andrew Nunn speaks to the 700-strong congregation at Southwark Cathedral
The Prime Minister said the fact that seven of the eight victims came from outside Britain – from France, Spain, Australia and Canada – was ‘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.’
‘Our resolve to stand firm and overcome this threat together has never been stronger,’ she said.
Those killed in the attack were Canadian Christine Archibald, 30, James McMullan, 32, from Hackney, Frenchmen Alexandre Pigeard, 26, Sebastien Belanger, 36 and Xavier Thomas, 45, Australians Kirsty Boden, 28 and Sara Zelenak 21, and Spaniard Ignacio Echeverria, 39.
The Dean of Southwark Cathedral Andrew Nunn read the names of those killed in the attack as he welcomed their families and friends, others who were injured in the attack and dignitaries to the service.
Photographs of the people killed in the 2017 terror attack were displayed on London Bridge
Flowers are placed alongside photographs of the people killed in the London Bridge attack
Flowers are placed alongside photographs of the people killed in the London Bridge attack
Photographs of the people killed in the London Bridge attack are displayed on London Bridge
Prime Minister Theresa May listens during today’s service of commemoration at Southwark Cathedral
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn listens during today’s service of commemoration at Southwark Cathedral
He said: ‘I hope it helps our healing. Whatever your hopes are, whatever your pain is, whatever has kept you awake at night, whatever anger, sorrow or guilt you are feeling: God is here for you.
‘Love is stronger than hate, light is stronger than darkness and life is stronger than death.
‘It was true a year ago. It is as true today.’
A group called Turn To Love held placards bearing slogans of hope near London Bridge.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Prime Minister Theresa May and Home Secretary Sajid Javid (left to right) at Southwark Gateway Needle on the south side of London Bridge ahead of a minute’s silence to mark one year since the terror attack
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn lay flowers after the minute’s silence at London Bridge
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Prime Minister Theresa May at Southwark Gateway Needle ahead of the minute’s silence
Prime Minister Theresa May holds flowers ahead of a minute’s silence to mark one year since the London Bridge terror attack
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Prime Minister Theresa May and Home Secretary Sajid Javid (left to right) hold floral tributes at Southwark Gateway Needle ahead of a minute’s silence
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (centre), Home Secretary Sajid Javid (third from right) and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (second from right) make their way to London Bridge for the minute’s silence
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott (left) and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn make their way to London Bridge to lay flowers ahead of the minute’s silence for the victims of the 2017 attack
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Bishop of Southwark Christopher Chessun hold flowers at Southwark Gateway Needle ahead of a minute’s silence
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Prime Minister Theresa May and Home Secretary Sajid Javid (left to right) hold floral tributes at Southwark Gateway Needle ahead of a minute’s silence
Prime Minister Theresa May lays flowers during the ceremony to mark a year since the London Bridge terror attack
Prime Minister Theresa May lays flowers during the ceremony to mark a year since the London Bridge terror attack
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott (second from right) and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (far right) lay flowers during the ceremony to mark a year since the London Bridge terror attack
A woman carries floral tributes to London Bridge on the first anniversary of the attack
People embrace at the service of commemoration for victims of the 2017 London Bridge attack
Members of the public hold back tears during the service of commemoration for victims of the 2017 London Bridge attack
Families of the victims make their way to a minute’s silence for the victims of the 2017 London Bridge terror attack
Families of the victims make their way to a minute’s silence for the victims of the 2017 London Bridge terror attack
People gather with placards on London Bridge on the first anniversary of the terror attack
People gather with placards on London Bridge on the first anniversary of the terror attack
A message written on a floral tribute by Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, is displayed
A message written on a floral tribute by Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, reads: ‘Everyone who lost their lives and who are still in pain are in the thoughts of the officers and staff of the Metropolitan Police’
People gathering on London Bridge ahead of the London Bridge terror attack service of commemoration at Southwark Cathedral
A man holds a poster on the south side of London Bridge ahead of a minute’s silence to mark one year since the terror attack
Crowds hold posters of support at Southwark Gateway Needle ahead of a minute’s silence to mark one year since the terror attack on London Bridge and Borough
Police patrolling the south side of London Bridge ahead of the service of commemoration at Southwark Cathedral
A police dog and its handler perform checks of London Bridge ahead of the service of commemoration for victims of the London Bridge terror attack
Project manager Qayum Mannan, 27, said: ‘It’s about standing together against terror, against evil. Regardless of background we can beat those who would drive us apart. They want us divided.’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the city would honour the victims of terror attacks ‘through our actions and standing united against terrorism and in hope for the future’.
He said: ‘Our city faced some incredibly difficult times last year, with the terrorist attacks in Westminster, London Bridge, Finsbury Park and Parsons Green.
‘The cowardly terrorists who commit these horrific acts do so to try to divide us, to fuel fear and to change how we treat one another. I’m proud of the way we have responded: standing united in defiance and staying true to our values and way of life.’
The eight tragic victims of the London Bridge terror attack
Christine Archibald, 30, from British Columbia, Canada
Canadian Christine Archibald, 30, died in her fiance’s arms after being struck by the speeding van.
The 30-year-old, who worked at a homeless shelter, had moved from her native British Columbia to live in Europe with her fiance, Tyler Ferguson.
Her cause of death was given as multiple injuries.
James McMullan, 32, from Hackney, east London
James McMullan, 32, was enjoying a night out with school friends to celebrate the launch of a new £1million business venture when he was caught up in the attack.
He was last seen outside the Barrowboy And Banker Pub and found dead found outside the Post Office in Borough High Street.
His bank card was found at the scene and he was later identified by his father. His cause of death was given as haemorrhage due to knife wound to the chest.
Canadian Christine Archibald (left) and James McMullan (right)
Kirsty Boden, 28, from Loxton, Australia
Nurse Kirsty Boden, 28, from Loxton in South Australia had moved to the UK and began working as a health professional and travelling around Europe.
She ran towards the danger in a selfless bid to save the lives of others.
She was found in the shadow of Southwark Cathedral, on Montague Close, with a stab wound to her chest and was later identified by DNA and dental records.
Alexandre Pigeard, 26, from Normandy, France
Alexandre Pigeard was a waiter at the Boro Bistro by the River Thames and was stabbed in the neck in front of friends.
Manager Vincent Le Berre, from Brittany, told the Telegramme news outlet: ‘One of the attackers got on to the roof of the bar and jumped on the parasol on the terrace, wounding one of my colleagues.
‘He immediately attacked a client who was killed. I managed to escape, but my friend Alexandre did not have a chance. He was stabbed in the neck with a knife.’
An inquest heard he died from a haemorrhage as a result of ‘stab wounds to the neck and chest’.
Australian nurse Kirsty Boden (left) and Frenchman Alexandre Pigeard (right)
Sebastien Belanger, 36, from Angers, France
Frenchman Sebastien Belanger had been watching the Champions League final in Boro Bistro when the terrorists struck. He was a friend of victim Alexandre Pigeard.
Mr Belanger was stabbed repeatedly in the chest, an inquest heard.
His body was found in Borough Market and he was identified by dental records and fingerprints. His loved ones spent several days unaware of his fate.
Sara Zelenak, 21, from Brisbane, Australia
The mother of Australian nanny Sara Zelenak, from Brisbane, had gone out to meet a friend on the night of the attack.
She was found in Borough High Street and a CT scan and post mortem was carried out on her body in the day’s following the attack.
Her cause of death was a single stab wound to the neck.
Frenchman Sebastien Belanger (left) and Australian nanny Sara Zelenak (right)
Ignacio Echeverria, 39, from Las Rozas, Spain
Ignacio Echeverria, originally from Las Rozas in Spain but who lived in Poplar, east London, worked as a financial crime analyst for HSBC.
He is understood to have gone to the aid of another victim, attempting to hit one of the terrorists with his skateboard to save her.
He was reported missing after he was last seen lying on the pavement near London Bridge.
The 39-year-old was knifed in the back on London Bridge and his body was identified by his brother several days later.
Xavier Thomas, 45, from Loire-Atlantique, France
Xavier Thomas, 45, was walking south on London Bridge with his girlfriend Christine Delcros when a van ploughed into pedestrians.
Miss Delcros was seriously injured.
The Metropolitan Police later revealed that they discovered Mr Thomas’s body near Limehouse – four miles from London Bridge.
The inquest heard he drowned in the Thames. It is not known whether he jumped or was hit by the van.
Ignacio Echeverria (left) , from Spain, and Xavier Thomas (right) from France
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