Lockerbie bombing: Investigation vow on anniversary 21 December 2013 Last updated at 19:14 The Boeing 747 was just over half an hour into its flight from London to New York when it exploded on 21 December 1988 The UK, US and Libyan governments have vowed to work together to reveal "the full facts" of the Lockerbie bombing which claimed 270 lives. The administrations also expressed their deep condolences to the families of the victims. The announcement came in a joint statement as memorial events were held on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy. They said they wanted "all those responsible for this most brutal act of terrorism brought to justice." The statement by the three administrations said: "On the 25th anniversary of the bombing of Pan American flight 103 over Lockerbie on 21 December 1988, the governments of Libya, the United Kingdom and United States of America reiterate their deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this terrible crime. Brutal act We want all those responsible for this most brutal act of terrorism brought to justice, and to understand why it was committed. It was the shortest day of the year and, for Lockerbie, the longest and darkest night. For many years this little town has been torn between respect for the dead and a desire to move on and rebuild. Today though it chose, once again, to stand still in remembrance and to offer a hand of friendship to those who had come from afar to do the same. 189 Americans died aboard Pan Am flight 103 and many of those in Dryfesdale Cemetery had travelled across the Atlantic to feel closer to their loved ones. The 25th anniversary of the bombing may mark the last big memorial service at this windswept spot. But for those who stood here today in the gathering gloom, the grief was undimmed and the bonds unbroken as the people of Lockerbie again opened their doors and their hearts. We are committed to co-operate fully in order to reveal the full facts of the case. Scotland's top law officer Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland announced this week that Libya had appointed two prosecutors to work on the investigation into the bombing. The joint statement continued: "We will all provide full support to the investigation team to enable them to complete their inquiries successfully. We are striving to further deepen our co-operation and welcome the visit by UK and US investigators to Libya in the near future to discuss all aspects of that co-operation, including sharing of information and documents and access to witnesses. Libyan Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was the only person convicted of the bombing. He was released from jail by the Scottish government on compassionate grounds after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, and died last year protesting his innocence. The joint statement by the three administrations was released as memorial events were being held in the UK and the US to mark the 25th anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am 103 above Lockerbie. Memorial events Wreaths were laid at Dryfesdale Cemetery in the town and a service took place in a local church. Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and Lord Wallace, Advocate General for Scotland, were among those who took part in the ceremony. The service was led by the Rev John MacLeod, while readings and prayers were given by Major Kingsley Layton, commanding officer at Lockerbie Corps, the Salvation Army, and Lord Lieutenant Jean Tulloch, representing the Queen. During the service Mr MacLeod said: "It is 25 years after the day on which certain men chose to set aside their humanity and destroy the lives of 270 people in the air over this area of Scotland and here in the little town of Lockerbie - not only their lives but also those who survived, families and friends. What we the people of Lockerbie in this area will never tire of saying is we welcome you once again to this place where you know you are always welcome. In doing so we seek to comfort and console you. Fight for justice Craig Lynes, a representative of the American government, spoke at the event. He said: "We have seen changes great and small throughout the world in the years since December 21st 1988. It is with pride that we declare once again our unshakeable commitment to continue the fight against terrorism. We owe that to each of you. Nobody can return what was taken from you that night. But we can and will continue to work and to fight for justice. Jane Schultz, mother of Thomas: "I wanted to be in the place where Thomas took his last breath" Speaking to BBC News after the wreath-laying, Mr Salmond said: "Out of disaster, there are the bonds of friendship. Lockerbie has been a welcoming place for the relatives of those who died, and over the last 25 years has taken as good care of people as it possibly could. I don't think you ever move on, you certainly never forget, but people do rebuild their lives and many have. In the US, people gathered at the memorial cairn in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington DC. US Attorney General Eric Holder and other officials are to speak during a ceremony there. There has also been a service at Syracuse University in New York state, which lost 35 students returning from Europe on the Pan Am flight. Senior Scottish officials and UK Government representatives attended a service at Westminster Abbey. Devastation and horror Canon Patrick Keegans, who was parish priest at Lockerbie at the time of the bombing, said the anniversary had "brought to the surface many, many emotions people have had over the past 25 years." Other anniversaries have been calmer. This one makes us remember the devastation and horror that all of us experienced 25 years ago," he told BBC Breakfast.