Londoners observe 7/7 blast anniversary

LONDON, July 7 (UPI) -- Commuters, survivors and victims' families crowded into a London subway station Monday to mark the three-year anniversary of the "7/7" terror bombings.

London Mayor Boris Johnson and Minister for London Tessa Jowell laid flowers outside the station at 8.50 a.m., the time the first bomb went off July 7, 2005, at the King's Cross Station, The Telegraph reported.

In the bombings, 52 people were killed and more than 700 were injured when four suicide bombers set off blasts in three London subway stations and a bus. In Monday's ceremony, Johnson placed a memorial card which read: "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."

Daniel Obachike, 34, who said he lost his best friend in the attacks, told the Telegraph: "It was a low-key ceremony and there are many of us who believe more could have been done in the aftermath. I suppose it is of some consolation that figureheads have arrived to recognize us."

British authorities say $14.8 million has been paid to blast victims and relatives.