Police say at least seven dead in London ‘terror incident’
Attackers drove a van at high speed into a group of pedestrians on the London Bridge Saturday before stabbing others near Borough Market in what police are calling terrorist incidents.
The London ambulance service said it had transported at least 48 people to different hospitals, and police confirmed that at least seven were dead following the attacks.
London police told reporters they believed they had killed all of the attackers involved.
{mosads}Officials said Sunday that 12 people had been arrested in east London in connection with the investigation.
Prime Minister Theresa May released a statement saying the incident was being investigated as a “potential act of terrorism”, but the government has not officially called the incidents terrorist attacks.
According to London Police, two areas were locked down.
We are dealing with an incident on #LondonBridge, when we have more information we will update this twitter feed.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 3, 2017
As well as #LondonBridge officers have also responsed to an incident in #BoroughMarket. We have armed police at the scenes.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 3, 2017
The incident at #Vauxhall is a stabbing and is not connect to the incidents at #LondonBridge & #BoroughMarket
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 3, 2017
Picture from scene of #BoroughMarket attack appears to show man with canisters strapped to his body https://t.co/jUnj9GIUbY pic.twitter.com/BeCVlubzfx
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 4, 2017
A BBC reporter said a van appeared to be traveling at 50 miles per hour when it drove up on the pavement, hitting several pedestrians on the London Bridge.
According to multiple reports, a suspect then began stabbing people at random near Borough Market.
President Trump was briefed on the incidents around 6:30 p.m. ET and later tweeted a response in which he renewed his call for courts to approve his executive order banning travel into the U.S. from six Muslim-majority countries.
“We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights,” Trump tweeted Saturday evening. “We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!”
“Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U. K., we will be there – WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!” Trump wrote in a second tweet.
The White House said in a statement that the president had also spoken with May on the phone, offering his support to the country.
The U.S. State Department also released a statement Saturday night condemning the act.
“The United States condemns the cowardly attacks targeting innocent civilians in London this evening. We understand UK police are currently treating these as terrorist incidents,” the statement read. “Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. We wish a full and quick recovery to those injured in the attacks.”
Read more about eyewitness accounts below:
BBC reporter Holly Jones was on #LondonBridge at time of incident. Says van speeding and veered into pedestrians. Can see 6 casualties.
— Vicki Young (@BBCVickiYoung) June 3, 2017
Passerby says 15-20 people have been run over. “Westminster bridge all over again”. Another says 7 or 8.
— Will Heaven (@WillHeaven) June 3, 2017
Witness describes how he hid in restaurant basement before being evacuated by police pic.twitter.com/qIpvkSQ6JX
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 3, 2017
London Terror: ‘Youngish males…all in black’ – Witness. Coverage on @Channel7. https://t.co/Si246vw8i9 #London #7News pic.twitter.com/5G6TdXNdNe
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) June 4, 2017
Updated 8:42 a.m. E.T on June 4.
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