London Marks Third Anniversary of July 7 Bombings

LONDON – Londoners on Monday marked the third anniversary of the July 7 suicide bombings that killed 52 commuters during a rush-hour attack.

Hundreds of commuters and survivors stood silently as Mayor Boris Johnson and others laid flowers outside King's Cross train and subway station at 8:50 a.m. three years after the attacks in 2005.

Johnson laid a memorial card that said: "We honor the memory of those who died on 7/7 2005. We salute the courage of those who were injured and our thoughts and prayers are with all victims and their families."

Kevin McGarahan, 58, was one of the rescue workers in the attacks. "The wounds of grief are still wide open," he said.

Four suicide bombers — all British Muslims — blew themselves up aboard three subway trains and a bus in the deadliest attack on London since World War II. More than 700 people were injured in the attacks.

Memorials were held at each of the subway stations where people died.

"I return every year to lay flowers," said Jacqui Putnam, 57, who was injured when the bomb exploded one train car away from her at the Edgware Road station where seven died. "I don't want to be anywhere else on the 7th."

Tim Coulson, 53, was awarded a medal earlier this year for helping victims.

"I broke a window to get out of the train to get to the cries," Coulson said. "I felt motivated to do what I could."

At Aldgate subway station, a memorial service was held for the seven people killed and the 171 injured.

"We pray that justice may be done and that we may treasure the memories of their lives more than the manner of their deaths," said the Rev. Brian Lee, who led the service near a plaque bearing the names of the dead.

Relatives of some of the victims held private ceremonies at the site of the other subway bombing at Russell Square and in Tavistock Square, where the bus exploded.