Silence in London for bombing victims

cctv.com 07-15-2005 10:20

As the investigation into the London bombings continues, millions of people across Europe joined Londoners in two-minutes of silence on Thursday. They remembered victims of last Thursday's attacks which killed at least 53 people and wounded 700.

A silent memorial at noon, local time, thousands were in Trafalgar Square for a show of unity and remembrance.

Tourists and Londoners alike stopped on the sidewalks outside the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, and bowed their heads as drivers ignored green lights and traffic came to a standstill.

Office workers poured onto the streets for the silent tribute, and construction crews stood with their hard hats at their sides.

Queen Elizabeth the second stood motionless outside Buckingham Palace, and a crowd filled Trafalgar Square.

Prime Minister Tony Blair marked the two-minute silence in the garden of his Downing Street office.

People across the 25-nation European Union also observed the two minutes' silence.

And in the Afghan capital Kabul, British troops stationed there stood silent in remembrance.

In Paris, where Bastille Day celebrations were underway, sirens wailed across the city and French President Jacques Chirac stood at attention outside the Elysee Palace.

Hundreds of European Union officials gathered in silence outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, where the row of blue-and-gold EU flags flew at half-staff.

Workers in public offices and deputies in Italy's lower house of parliament also paused at midday.

Airport and railway authorities said they would hold the two-minute silence, though at Rome's main train station few stopped to observe the pause.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com