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7 July London bombings: Flowers laid in memory of victims 7 July London bombings: Flowers laid in memory of victims
(35 minutes later)
Flowers have been laid in memory of the 52 people killed in the 7 July bombings - 10 years to the hour since suicide bombers began the attacks.Flowers have been laid in memory of the 52 people killed in the 7 July bombings - 10 years to the hour since suicide bombers began the attacks.
Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson were among those who laid wreaths in Hyde Park.Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson were among those who laid wreaths in Hyde Park.
A service will take place at St Paul's Cathedral later, attended by survivors and families of those who died.A service will take place at St Paul's Cathedral later, attended by survivors and families of those who died.
A minute's silence will be held during the service and on London's transport network at 11:30 BST.A minute's silence will be held during the service and on London's transport network at 11:30 BST.
The bombings of three Tube trains and a bus - carried out by four suicide bombers linked to al-Qaeda and carrying rucksacks of explosives - was the worst single terrorist atrocity on British soil. The bombings of three Tube trains and a bus - carried out by four bombers linked to al-Qaeda and carrying rucksacks of explosives - was the worst single terrorist atrocity on British soil.
A variety of planned and informal tributes are taking place. So far:A variety of planned and informal tributes are taking place. So far:
At just after 08:50 on 7 July 2005, three explosions took place on the Underground - 26 people died in a bombing at Russell Square on the Piccadilly line; while on the Circle line six died in an explosion at Edgware Road, and seven lost their lives at Aldgate. At just after 08:50 on 7 July 2005, three explosions took place on the Underground - 26 people died at Russell Square, six at Edgware Road and seven at Aldgate.
Almost an hour later, a fourth device was set off on a number 30 double-decker bus in Tavistock Square, killing 13 people. Almost an hour later, a fourth device was set off on a double-decker bus in Tavistock Square, killing 13 people.
The names of the 52 victims will be read out at the national service of commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral, which begins at 11:00 BST.The names of the 52 victims will be read out at the national service of commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral, which begins at 11:00 BST.
More than 700 people were also injured in the attacks.More than 700 people were also injured in the attacks.
Follow the BBC's live coverage of the anniversary events here.Follow the BBC's live coverage of the anniversary events here.
Read moreRead more
Exactly what happened on 7/7 What happened on 7/7
Is the UK safer now?Is the UK safer now?
The 52 victimsThe 52 victims
The 7/7 victims who walked awayThe 7/7 victims who walked away
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned the threat to Britain and other Western countries from Islamist terrorism has increased. PM Mr Cameron has tweeted: "Ten years on from the 7/7 London attacks, the threat continues to be as real as it is deadly - but we will never be cowed by terrorism."
In an interview with the BBC News Channel, Mr Blair said the Islamic State militant group had established itself on the "edges of Europe" and that combat troops would be needed on the ground to defeat the extremists.
The Duke Of York and Mr Johnson will be among those at St Paul's, where prayers will be led by priests who helped minister people in the aftermath of the attacks.The Duke Of York and Mr Johnson will be among those at St Paul's, where prayers will be led by priests who helped minister people in the aftermath of the attacks.
Trains to stop
Mr Johnson said the bombers "failed in their aim" and "didn't in any way change the fundamentals of London and what makes this city great".Mr Johnson said the bombers "failed in their aim" and "didn't in any way change the fundamentals of London and what makes this city great".
"I think most people would say that London has become even more cosmopolitan, even more welcoming," he added."I think most people would say that London has become even more cosmopolitan, even more welcoming," he added.
The minute's silence will be preceded by announcements on London's transport network.The minute's silence will be preceded by announcements on London's transport network.
Tube trains and buses are expected to be halted, if they can do so safely, while the occasion is observed.Tube trains and buses are expected to be halted, if they can do so safely, while the occasion is observed.
At St Paul's, the silence will end with petals being released from the dome, and four candles will be lit - one for each of the four blast sites.At St Paul's, the silence will end with petals being released from the dome, and four candles will be lit - one for each of the four blast sites.
The silence will also be observed at Wimbledon, where play will begin at 11:45 BST instead of 11:00.The silence will also be observed at Wimbledon, where play will begin at 11:45 BST instead of 11:00.
'Walk together''Walk together'
Meanwhile, commuters are being urged to "walk together" by finishing their morning bus or Underground commute one stop early and travelling the last few minutes by foot.Meanwhile, commuters are being urged to "walk together" by finishing their morning bus or Underground commute one stop early and travelling the last few minutes by foot.
Adrian Luscombe, one of those taking part, tweeted: "A commuter today as I was 10 years ago. It could have been me. As fresh in memory as if it was yesterday."Adrian Luscombe, one of those taking part, tweeted: "A commuter today as I was 10 years ago. It could have been me. As fresh in memory as if it was yesterday."
The anniversary events began at 08:50 BST at the Hyde Park monument, which is made up of 52 stainless steel pillars, each representing a victim.The anniversary events began at 08:50 BST at the Hyde Park monument, which is made up of 52 stainless steel pillars, each representing a victim.
At Tavistock Square, where 110 people were also injured, there will be a short service.At Tavistock Square, where 110 people were also injured, there will be a short service.
The mayor of Camden, local MP Sir Keir Starmer, and Dr Peter Holden and Keith Ward from the British Medical Association - whose staff rushed out of their nearby headquarters to attend to the injured in 2005 - will be in attendance.The mayor of Camden, local MP Sir Keir Starmer, and Dr Peter Holden and Keith Ward from the British Medical Association - whose staff rushed out of their nearby headquarters to attend to the injured in 2005 - will be in attendance.
In the afternoon, the Duke of Cambridge will join victims' families, survivors and ambulance and fire brigade employees who were working 10 years ago, for a service at the Hyde Park memorial, where there will be songs, recitals and a reading.In the afternoon, the Duke of Cambridge will join victims' families, survivors and ambulance and fire brigade employees who were working 10 years ago, for a service at the Hyde Park memorial, where there will be songs, recitals and a reading.
Painful reminder A unique grief
By Peter Hunt, BBC correspondentBy Peter Hunt, BBC correspondent
This anniversary, like all the anniversaries, is set to be a painful day for the bereaved. This was a simple, short almost stark ceremony.
One mother, whose son was killed, has spoken of how, initially, she felt that the colour had gone out of the world and life was "awfully long and awfully grey". There were no readings, no music.
Those who have lost relatives and those who were injured have been invited to the service at St Paul's Cathedral and to the more informal memorial event in Hyde Park this afternoon. In silence, wreaths - more than a dozen of them - were placed on the memorial stone at the time when, 10 years ago, three of the four homemade rucksack bombs exploded underground with such devastating consequences.
In the park, at the end, they will lay yellow gerberas - the flower is said to symbolise innocence and purity. The 7 July Memorial, which consists of 52 stainless steel pillars, was designed to symbolise the random nature of the loss of life.
Tessa Jowell, a minister at the time of the attacks, has spoken of how each column represents a unique person, a unique grief.
The memorial events are very much about that grief; about the enduring sense of loss suffered by the bereaved; and about the unfulfilled futures of the 52 who were murdered.
Read more from PeterRead more from Peter
The bombings were carried out by Mohammad Sidique Khan, 30, Shehzad Tanweer, 22, Hasib Hussain, 18, and Germaine Lindsay, 19. The group had links to al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan.The bombings were carried out by Mohammad Sidique Khan, 30, Shehzad Tanweer, 22, Hasib Hussain, 18, and Germaine Lindsay, 19. The group had links to al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Speaking ahead of the anniversary, the UK's most senior counter-terrorism officer, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, said the rise of Islamic State militants meant the UK was now facing a "very different" threat. In an interview with the BBC News Channel, former Prime Minister Tony Blair recalled how news of the attacks had emerged following the "general state of euphoria" about London winning the right to host the 2012 Olympics.
The UK's most senior counter-terrorism officer, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, said the rise of Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq meant the UK was now facing a "very different" threat.
"We've seen another step change in terrorism in the way it works and connects across the world in the last couple of years," he said."We've seen another step change in terrorism in the way it works and connects across the world in the last couple of years," he said.
The UK's terror threat level was raised from "substantial" to "severe" in August 2014 in response to conflicts in Iraq and Syria.The UK's terror threat level was raised from "substantial" to "severe" in August 2014 in response to conflicts in Iraq and Syria.
Meanwhile, the head of MI5, Andrew Parker, described the "disgusting" events of 7 July 2005 as an "enduring reminder" of what his organisation "is striving every day to prevent".
"In the preceding months, there had been a degree of scepticism about the terrorism threat in the media: surely it couldn't happen here?" he said.
"The fact of 7/7 ended those arguments and led to a step change in the nation's counter-terrorism defences."
The victimsThe victims
A total of 52 people lost their lives when four suicide bombers attacked central London 10 years ago. Here are their stories.A total of 52 people lost their lives when four suicide bombers attacked central London 10 years ago. Here are their stories.