London pays silent respects

At 12 noon today, London and worldwide millions of people paid their respects with a two minute silence to the victims of the London bombings on 7/7. On Bishopsgate I witnessed buses, taxis and cars all at a standstill and crowds of people standing silently in the street. At 12:02 Lloyds of London rang the Lutine Bell twice marking the end of the two minute silence.

© Andrew Or

At 12:03 the crowds start to disperse at Bishopsgate. At the exact time last week this exact spot was devoid of people as we were all asked to stay in our offices.

© Andrew Or

Outside Liverpool Street station a poster asks if anyone has seen Benedetta Ciaccia who arrived at Liverpool Street Station on the morning of Thursday 7th July. She never made it to work. Next to the poster there are a bunch of flowers.

© Andrew Or

Another poster asks for information about Carrie. The only Carrie listed as missing in this BBC missing persons article is Carrie Taylor.

© Andrew Or

Flowers are laid on the ground outside one entrance to Liverpool Street station which is still closed in memory of those who died whilst passers by silently read the messages of support.

© Andrew Or

An anonymous message signed "A message from the Israeli people" pays tribute to the 7/7 victims and people of London.

The Metropolitan Police Casualty Bureau number is: 0870 156 6344

Flypast of of WWII aircraft

Today, London witnessed the flypast of about twenty World War II aircraft marking the commemoration of the 60th anniversary since the end of World War II. I took these photos from my apartment of the aircraft as they flew over the City of London approaching the Mall.

Flying low at about 600 feet the aircraft flew past the Swiss Re building between 16:58 and 17:07. I was about 1.6km (1 mile) away and I cropped the photos for maximum effect.

A few minutes after I took these photos the aircraft flew over the Mall where thousands of people were gathered at Buckingham Palace to witness the flypast including the Queen and some members of the Royal Family.

© Andrew Or

16:58 Five De Havilland Dragon Rapide twin-engine biplanes flew past n a 'V for Victory' formation.

© Andrew Or

17:04 Two B-17 'Flying Fortresses' and two B-25 bombers fly in a box formation honouring the Allied effort.

© Andrew Or

17:07 At the end of the flypast a Lancaster bomber, flanked by a Spitfire and a Hurricane, flew by. When the Lancaster reached the Mall it dropped one million red poppies from its bomb bay in tribute to those who lost their lives in the War marking the end of the National Commemoration Day.

London bombings

These photos were taken with my PDA phone today in London where a series of bomb attacks brought the London transport systems to a halt and at least 37 people were killed with over 700 hundred people injured. I work in Bishopsgate and stayed in the office most of the day whilst the events unfolded around me.

© Andrew Or

An Evening Standard newspaper board announces the blasts on the underground. Next to the message is the National Lottery symbol with fingers crossed.

© Andrew Or

When the news started coming through of the attacks we were told to stay in our offices. Eventually people started to move outside. This photo shows people gathering outside Liverpool Street station which is cordoned off by Police. Everyone is wondering how to get home. The Police officer asks me to stop taking photographs when she sees me. Taken at 15:09 London time.

© Andrew Or

As city workers emerge from their offices into Bishopsgate there are no cars or buses so they walk in the street. In the background sounds of police sirens can be heard. The local Tesco Metro (food supermarket) was closed due to the attacks but people hardly noticed. They just wanted to get home. Taken at 15:11 London time.

I left the office early and went home at about 3pm. I'll be working tomorrow.
BBC in Depth reports on the event