Queen, Blair lead tsunami service
LONDON, England -- Hundreds of bereaved families and friends of those killed in the Indian Ocean tsunami have joined Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair at a memorial service to honor those who died.
Actor and director Richard Attenborough, whose daughter and granddaughter were killed in the December 26 tragedy, gave a reading during Wednesday's ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
More than 1,800 people gathered for the ceremony, including victims' families and friends, survivors, aid workers and police who helped with the rescue and recovery efforts.
"So what is left when the waters have gone down again?" Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams,said in his sermon.
"Continuing and urgent need and pressure to rebuild, yes. Continuing pain and, for many people, still anger and bewilderment. But also a landscape where compassion and practical love have grown."
During a two-minute silence, 300,000 petals -- one for every person killed in the disaster -- were released from the cathedral's dome and galleries.
The petals were taken from flowers associated with the 12 countries ravaged in the disaster, including jasmine for Indonesia and Burma, water lilies for Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bangladesh, the lotus for India, and the pink rose for the Maldives.
A procession of 22 representatives from the British families and affected countries also walked slowly through the cathedral, carrying candles.
An estimated 273,800 people were killed and thousands are still missing after massive tidal waves -- triggered by a huge earthquake on the Indian Ocean floor off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia -- swept into coastal villages and seaside resorts throughout the region.
According to the latest official figures, 124 UK citizens died, with a further 21 still missing and feared dead.
Around 126 of the bereaved families are expected to be represented at the service.
Around half of the 51 families who lost non-UK relatives abroad will be there, joined by 54 of the 128 Britons who were severely injured.
The service was led by the dean of St. Paul's, the Rev. John Moses. The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams delivered a sermon.
