Home UK 96 bells sound for Hillsborough victims 30 years since tragedy

96 bells sound for Hillsborough victims 30 years since tragedy

324
0

By Aubrey Allegretti, news reporter

Ninety-six bells rang out through the centre of Liverpool as people came together to remember the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, killed 30 years ago.

Crowds gathered outside St George's Hall with banners reading "never forgotten" and to lay flowers in memory of the 96 football fans who lost their lives in a crush at the 1989 FA cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

They stood in silence at 3.06pm – the time the match at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium was stopped – as pictures of the men, women and children who died were displayed.

Image: Crowds stood in silence to mark the moment the game was stopped

Louise Brookes, whose brother Andrew died in the disaster, said he had been dead for four years longer than he was alive.

"He was only 26 when he died and he had his whole future and whole life ahead of him. I really struggle with that," she said.

Advertisement

Steve Rotheram, who was at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989 and now represents the Liverpool city region as mayor, said: "We have never forgotten and we will never forget the 96.

"It will be a very raw day for those people affected, not just by the loss of a loved one but who were there, the survivors for instance, and those people who witnessed the events on the day.

More from UK

"It's something that in my mind's eye I can still conjure up images of because I was there on the day."

Floral tributes and balloons are pictured in front of the Hillsborough memorial, outside of Liverpool Football Club's main stand at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England, on April 15, 2019 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough football stadium disaster in which 96 Liverpool football fans were killed.
Image: Flowers and balloons were left at Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium

Former Liverpool Football Club captain Steven Gerrard, whose cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, 10, was the youngest victim of the tragedy, was among those to pay tribute on social media.

He posted a picture of the Hillsborough memorial on Twitter and wrote: "Never forgotten."

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and Lord Mayor Christine Banks laid wreaths on behalf of the people of Liverpool.

Mr Anderson said the anniversary was an "emotional day" and a "milestone".

Read More – Source
[contf]
[contfnew]

Sky News

[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]

Previous article96 bells sound for Hillsborough victims 30 years since tragedy
Next articleSpeech: PM statement at the European Council: 11 April 2019