Millions of people across Europe joined Londoners in a two-minute silence at 12:00 am Thursday to remember victims of last Thursday's bombings in London that killed at least 52 and injured 700.

Buses and cabs in London stopped while tube trains still ran with the announcement of the silence.

Thousands of people stopped everything and stood in respectful silence along the streets or outside their homes and offices.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone asked people to stand outside shops, offices and homes to show "their complete defiance of the terrorists."

Lloyd's of London rang its Lutine bell at the beginning and end of the two minutes. It was rung after the September 11 attacks and the December 26 tsunami in Asia.

Airport operator BAA, which runs Heathrow and Gatwick, tried to ensure there were no take-offs or landings during the silence and that the two minutes were observed in airport terminals, with airline staff telling people about the silence and inviting them to mark it.

Overland trains remained stationary and the silence was observed on the concourses at mainline London stations.

Later on Thursday evening at 18:00 local time, thousands of Londoners are expected to gather at Trafalgar Square in the downtown area for a vigil to pay their respects and show their appreciation for the work of rescue and medical staff.

Londoners and members of the transport and emergency services will give readings and poems.

Police have identified the four men believed to have set off the suicide bombs and say at least three were home-grown British of Pakistani descent.

Source: Xinhua