Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Wrecked houses and a deep gash in the ground in the village of Lockerbie in December 1988. AP Photo/Martin Cleaver

Lockerbie bombing victims remembered on 25th anniversary

“You have shown that terrorist acts cannot crush the human spirit. That is why terrorism will never prevail.”

AT 7.03PM ON 21 December 1988, a bomb exploded on Pan Am Flight 103, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew on board.

The aircraft then crashed into the town of Lockerbie in Scotland. Eleven more people were killed on the ground.

Twenty-five years on, events are being held in the UK and US today to remember and honour the 270 victims.

A wreath-laying ceremony is to take place at Dryfesdale Cemetery with Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond in attendance. Westminster Abbey, Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and Syracuse University also organised memorials.

“Lockerbie remains one of the worst aviation disasters in history and the deadliest act of terrorism ever committed in the United Kingdom,” British Prime Minister David Cameron said as he marked the anniversary of the tragedy.

The loss of the flight was a shocking event that was “made more poignant still by being so close to Christmas”, he added.

“Over the last quarter of a century much attention has been focused on the perpetrators of the atrocity. Today our thoughts turn to its victims and to those whose lives have been touched and changed by what happened at Lockerbie that night.

“To families, friends, neighbours, loved ones, and all those caught up in the painful process of recovery. Let us say to them: our admiration for you is unconditional. For the fortitude and resilience you have shown. For your determination never to give up. You have shown that terrorist acts cannot crush the human spirit. That is why terrorism will never prevail.

And even in the darkest moments of grief, it is possible to glimpse the flickering flame of hope.

The majority of the passengers on board were American citizens, including 35 students from Syracuse University.

Cameron noted that there is still a strong bond between the Scottish town and the school.

“Syracuse lost 35 of its own on that fateful evening. Nothing can restore the promise of those young lives cut short. Yet their memory is honoured by the scholarships Syracuse awards each year to 2 Lockerbie students and 35 of its own undergraduates,” he said.

“They represent a growing band of beneficiaries, each given the chance to fulfil their own youthful promise. This is the lasting and optimistic legacy bequeathed to future generations on behalf of those who lost their lives on this day 25 years ago and who we remember here today.”

Lockerbie Bombing
1 / 8
  • Lockerbie Bombing

    Police and investigators look at what remains of the flight deck of Pan Am 103 on a field in Lockerbie, Scotland.Source: AP/Press Association Images
  • Lockerbie Bombing

    Two unidentified relatives of US crash victims, embrace each other after a Memorial Service in LockerbieSource: AP/Press Association Images
  • Lockerbie Bombing

    Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
  • Lockerbie Bombing

    Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
  • Lockerbie Bombing

    Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
  • Lockerbie Bombing

    Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
  • Lockerbie Bombing

    Source: AP/Press Association Images
  • Lockerbie Bombing

    Source: AP/Press Association Images

Only one man has ever been convicted for the bombing. Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was found guilty in January 2001 and given a life sentence. He was freed in August 2009 under compassionate release rules after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

He died in May last year in Tripoli, Libya.

Read: Libya delays Lockerbie verdict on Gaddafi ministers

More: How and why did the west change its view of Gaddafi?

Watch: Lockerbie bomber found ‘in a coma’ in Tripoli

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
17 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leopold Dedalus
    Favourite Leopold Dedalus
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 2:42 PM

    Disgraceful company, stole the entire game off of a smaller developer, then sued the original developer for copyright infringement to boot. Complete and utter w*****s

    173
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 2:48 PM

    Not a bunch to be trusted.

    82
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Maguire
    Favourite Keith Maguire
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 3:10 PM

    They also trademarked the word “Candy” in Europe.

    54
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Filthpig
    Favourite Filthpig
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 3:21 PM

    Didn’t know that.
    And there was me about to post a happy comment, oh well expect the worst and you’ll never be disappointed.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marc Marcel
    Favourite Marc Marcel
    Report
    Feb 19th 2014, 1:39 AM

    used to play it, got to level 167 i think, never paid a thing cos… its rigged. you could be stuck on a level from repeated play in one sitting, come back 2 days later, clear it right away. they see you’ve not used it in a while, so let you move on again. Got bored of it then. Logged into recently and im back at level 1, think they revamped it or maybe they do that if you stop using it for 6 months.

    If you have kids near this, don’t let them pay a cent.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leopold Dedalus
    Favourite Leopold Dedalus
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 2:44 PM
    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cpm
    Favourite Cpm
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 2:34 PM

    Not with a barge pole! Remember Zynga.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Louise Ní Riain
    Favourite Louise Ní Riain
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 4:59 PM

    Bain of my life

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MrKnow
    Favourite MrKnow
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 6:00 PM

    I heard chuck norris just made it to level 587,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. He is halfway to completing the game.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Kearns
    Favourite Colette Kearns
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 7:51 PM

    On level 421 and I never have & never will pay a cent to play! :-)

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 3:26 PM

    Level 500 is impossible. I really don’t think it’s possible without buying extra moves or help. It’s the very last level so if you wanna finish the game you’ll have to pay up.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Francis Meagher
    Favourite Thomas Francis Meagher
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 4:11 PM

    Level 500… Seriously, it’s driving me insane at level 86…

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mekere
    Favourite Mekere
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 4:13 PM

    Got past it and on 508 now. There are no last levels, it goes on and on and on, taunting me to keep going or fail!!! Aaaah!!

    15
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 4:18 PM

    No. Level 500 is the last level in Candy crush saga unless it haven’t done an update.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 4:33 PM

    Dam it! Just updated it. Not on the last level anymore. Dam you Candy Crush!!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carmel Fitzgerald
    Favourite Carmel Fitzgerald
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 4:49 PM

    Passed level 500 yesterday after a month . Nightmare level

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mekere
    Favourite Mekere
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 4:52 PM

    Hahahahaha, see it never flucking ends!! It’s a diabolical plot!!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mekere
    Favourite Mekere
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 4:53 PM

    My secret shame…..not so secret anymore :((

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Brennan
    Favourite Tom Brennan
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 8:59 PM

    Feel rather sorry for guy who made Candy Stripe, which King blatantly ripped off and netted loss of earnings as result.

    You can still get the original Candy Stripe on Play store.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Morgan
    Favourite Ciaran Morgan
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 5:14 PM

    413 million profits with 12.5% tax! That’s over 51 million to the exchequer. thanks candycrush……… or not?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fusha2020
    Favourite fusha2020
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 5:14 PM

    93 million people with their heads down tutting!!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cpm
    Favourite Cpm
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 2:35 PM

    …mind you, it seems like a little more of a realistic valuation

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Silent Majority
    Favourite Silent Majority
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 2:41 PM

    They’re not giving a valuation as far as I can see though, unless their multiplier is about 1.2 in which case barge pole distance is about as close as private investors are ever likely to get! They’ve just said how much they plan to raise, but no indication of market cap in this article. If the valuation is right they’ll get plenty of interest, lots of m&a in the industry so plenty willing to have a punt in the hope a tech giant might move for them down the road.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cpm
    Favourite Cpm
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 2:59 PM

    Good point(s).

    If off to spend my money on cheap hookers so.

    10
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Silent Majority
    Favourite Silent Majority
    Report
    Feb 18th 2014, 3:08 PM

    Always a sound investment! As long as the return doesn’t involve a trip to James’ of course!

    8
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds