London's Notting Hill Carnival remembers Grenfell Tower fire

Young revellers take part in the children's parade during the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

LONDON (Reuters) - Notting Hill Carnival, the biggest street party in Europe, fell silent for a minute on Sunday to remember the more than 80 people who were killed in June in an apartment block fire in the west London district.

Sound systems were turned off at 14:00 GMT in tribute to the victims of the disaster at Grenfell Tower, a tower block less that half a mile from the route of a procession that is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of revelers on Sunday and Monday.

Doves were released at the official opening ceremony of the 51st event. The local community is determined to remember the victims at the carnival that celebrates Afro-Caribbean culture.

The mayor of London Sadiq Khan meets relatives of people that died in Grenfell Tower at Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

But as well as sadness there is anger directed at the local authorities and the government after fire raced through the block and trapped dozens living in its upper floors in June.

Some feared that tempers could boil over at the festival, but the local community is determined it should be a peaceful vigil. On Sunday, the carnival got off to a lively but trouble-free start.

The Grenfell Tower blaze prompted widespread support for the community, but also anger over accusations of mismanagement by the local authorities. Protesters stormed the council building in the days after the tragedy, and the borough council leader resigned.

Young revellers take selfies during the children's parade at the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

The council was criticized by locals and politicians for its slow and ineffective response to the fire, while many accuse the authority, which administers one of Britain's wealthiest areas, of having turned its back on social housing.

A revellers t-shirt is seen at Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by Susan Thomas)

The mayor of London Sadiq Khan meets revellers at the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

The mayor of London Sadiq Khan meets relatives of people that died in Grenfell Tower at Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Revellers stand for a minutes silence during the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Residents watch the floats at the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

A bus conductor is seen during the children's parade at the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

A young reveller takes part in the children's parade during the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

A young reveller takes part in the children's parade during the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh