London church bells to ring in Grenfell tribute

St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey will be among churches across London to ring their bells 72 times to mark the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire.

More than 80 churches will take part in the tribute to the 72 who lost their lives after the blaze on June 14, 2017. The ringing at 6pm next Sunday, will be followed by a two-minute silence and vigil streamed on YouTube.

The memorial has been planned as part of a day of remembrance where large crowds will be asked not to visit the tower.

Karim Mussilhy, 34, the nephew of victim Hesham Rahman and vice chairman of survivors and bereaved families group Grenfell United, said that while they were not able to come together as they had in the past “in many ways we are in mourning with the country this year because so many people have lost loved ones before their time during the pandemic”.

Mr Mussilhy, who has been working on a memorial film which will be streamed during the online service, said: “It means a lot that the churches will be ringing their bells and the faith leaders are standing with us. We hope everyone in London will hear them and remember those we have lost.”

Clarrie Mendy, who also lost relatives in the fire, will be hosting an online church service at 11am. Landmarks across London are also expected to be bathed in green light — the colour of Grenfell campaign for justice.