The world remembers the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy 30 years on
Public memorial services will be held at venues across Liverpool and nine banners featuring the images of the 96 who lost their lives, alongside the words 'never forgotten', will be hung from St George’s Hall in the city centre above 96 lanterns on the hall’s steps
IT was the stadium disaster that claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans – and stunned the world.
Now — showing the international reach of the Reds’ support — the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy will be marked by devoted fans as far away as Australia, Germany, Cyprus and the US.
Tomorrow marks three decades since the worst disaster in British sporting history when the supporters were fatally crushed, and 766 injured, during Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest.
Public memorial services will be held at venues across Liverpool and nine banners featuring the images of the 96 who lost their lives, alongside the words “never forgotten”, will be hung from St George’s Hall in the city centre above 96 lanterns on the hall’s steps.
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A minute’s silence will also be held at 3.06pm — the time at which the match was stopped in Sheffield.
Civic buildings will fly their flags at half-mast and fans have been invited to sit in the Kop to reflect on the tragedy.
Bells at the town hall will toll 96 times.
As Liverpool grieves, supporters from all over the world will join the city in honouring the dead.
In the US, former England ace Wayne Rooney will be observing the minute’s silence along with his team and club officials at DC United in Washington.
In Cyprus, Liverpool supporters have organised a special blood donation session to honour those who died.
And in Germany football fans will light candles and watch a tribute video made by fans of Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The German club held a collection for the families of the victims at the time of the disaster.
Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield this afternoon and, all over the world, watching fans will observe a minute’s silence before kick off.
Fans in the Kop and the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand will unveil “96” and “30 years” mosaics during the match and all the players will wear black armbands.
Other events are planned up and down the UK including in Sheffield, Nottingham and Chester, where there will be a charity five-a-side game to mark the anniversary.
In Nottingham, fans are being encouraged to wear football shirts of whichever team they support and a book of condolence will be available to sign at the Council House building.
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Ian Curryer, the Chief Executive of the city council, said: “Many people from Nottingham were at Hillsborough 30 years ago and witnessed the tragedy that took place there.
“Then and now we share the grief felt by the families affected and by the city of Liverpool.
“It’s important that we stand together with them on April 15 to remember the 96 people who lost their lives.”
