One year on, London remembers victims of Grenfell Tower fire

London fell silent on Thursday as the British capital paid tribute to the victims of one of the biggest fire tragedies in Britain since World War II -- the fire that engulfed the Grenfell Tower high-rise apartment block.

There was a 72-second silence, the release of white doves, and a solemn remembrance service at St Helens Church in North Kensington for the 72 people who died in the tragedy on June 14, 2017.

At a memorial service held close to what used to be Grenfell Tower, the names of each victim were read out.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who laid flowers at the scene, said London "stands shoulder to shoulder" with the Grenfell community.

"Today is about remembering the 72 lives so tragically lost in the Grenfell Tower fire a year ago, innocent victims young and old, children, parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones as well as all those injured and affected. Londoners will never forget the horror and disbelief on waking up to the shocking news," he said.

The tower, now a burned out shell, was draped in a green cover, the color adopted by Grenfell survivor groups, with a large heart-shaped emblem at the top, with the message "Grenfell, forever in our hearts".

Green balloons were released from the top of tower, drifting into the sky above London.
  (chinamedia)
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