British aunt and uncle 'still well loved' after dying on 103rd floor of World Trade Center in 9/11

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11 a group of loved ones, officials and activists gathered for a poignant ceremony to remember all the victims who died, including the 67 British citizens .

The intimate gathering was held next to a memorial sculpture made from steel that fell from the World Trade Center on September 11, which now stands at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Friday's event, hosted by the UK charity Since 9/11, heard heartbreaking stories from 25 years ago but also called on the importance of keeping the 2001 tragedy in our memories.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham , in a video address, told the ceremony that: "We will never forget these terrible events, but we refuse to be defined by them."

The PM emphasised the strength of the bond between the UK and US 25 years on, saying: "Time may pass, but I know the grief is still felt just as deeply today. On this anniversary, we must remember that hatred and fear did not have the last word on 9/11."

Those touched closely by the tragedy of 9/11 were also present at the solemn anniversary ceremony, including Liam McKenna who lost his uncle and aunt.

Liam's uncle Michael Egan, 51, had moved from Hull to the US eight years before the attack and worked at the professional services firm Aon. Michael's sister Christine Egan, 55, had been a nurse in Canada and was visiting her brother in New York at the time.

The two Britons were on the 103rd floor and both sadly died during the attack. Liam, speaking to the Mirror, shared how he heard the heartbreaking news as a teenager and said: "I remember I was 15 years old and I had heard the news story on the radio and I heard about planes hitting a tower somewhere in America, and it all seemed very distant to me.

"I remember going down to where my parents were, and they had it on the news there and I remember distinctly my mum saying to me, 'your uncle Mike works in that tower'. And very quickly it changed from being this distant news story to being this personal family tragedy."

Despite living across the pond, Liam said his aunt and uncle used to visit and stayed close with the family. He said: "They always had time for the family, always had time for me as a young boy and my little brother." Liam remembered Christine and Michael saying "I just really distinctly remember how kind they were." He added: "They are still well loved."

Christian Fisher was 13 years old when he survived the 7/7 Tavistock Square bombing, which was near his school.