Orlando shooting: Vigils held around world to honour victims

The vigil in London brought crowds on to the streets of Soho

Vigils have been held in Orlando, Florida, and around the world for the victims of Sunday's deadly gun attack on a gay nightclub.

A Muslim cleric told those attending the Orlando event that Muslims stood united with them against "the ideology of hatred, death and destruction". Similar gatherings have been held in countries including France, Australia, the UK and Germany.

The attack on Orlando's Pulse nightclub left 49 people dead and dozens wounded. US authorities say gunman Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to so-called Islamic State (IS) shortly before the attack.


Several Pulse customers have told US media that Mateen was a regular visitor to the nightclub. "Sometimes he would go over in the corner and sit and drink by himself, and other times he would get so drunk he was loud and belligerent," Ty Smith told the Orlando Sentinel.

Other witnesses said they recognised him from gay dating apps. President Barack Obama is due to travel to Orlando on Thursday to pay his respects to the victims.

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Thousands of people gathered in central Orlando on Monday night, holding candles and flowers in tribute to the victims. Imam Muhammad Musri, of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, said the attack had been "an act of terror, an act of hate".

"We condemn the ideology of hate and death and destruction and we call for all Muslim leaders and communities across this nation and across the world to stand up and to deal with this cancer and to remove it once and for all," he said.