London holds emotional vigil for attack victims

Londoners held a vigil to mourn the victims of the London Bridge attack on Monday (June 5).

Thousands gathered on the banks of the River Thames to pay their respects, a few hundred yards away from where three militants rammed into pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing revellers on Saturday night, killing seven.

People of all ages braved the rain to pay their respects, with some breaking into tears during a minute of silence for the victims and staying behind to lay down flowers.

Mourners held signs with messages such as “hate will not divide us” and “stand up to racism”, while others carried balloons shaped as hearts.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, the first Muslim mayor of a major western capital, said the Islamist extremists who targeted civilians in bars and restaurants were despicable and the city would be resilient in the face of the attack.