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As it happenedended1497884194

Finsbury Park attack as it happened: Theresa May booed as she leaves mosque after paying respects to victims

Police: 'London is a city of many faiths and many nationalities. An attack on one community is an attack on all of us'

Samuel Osborne,Katie Forster,Benjamin Kentish
Monday 19 June 2017 02:15 EDT
Finsbury Park attack - what we know so far

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Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

One person has died and eight people have been taken to hospital after being hit by a van in a "potential terror attack" near a north London mosque.

The van driver, described by eyewitnesses as a large white man, was detained by members of the public after the attack in Seven Sisters Road at 12.20am on Monday.

One witness described being surrounded by bodies in the wake of the attack outside the Muslim Welfare House, close to Finsbury Park mosque.

Eyewitnesses said the attacker shouted about killing Muslims as he was held by local people.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said it was an attack on common values.

"Like the terrible attacks in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge it is also an assault on all our shared values of tolerance, freedom and respect," he said in a statement.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: "Police have confirmed this is being treated as a potential terrorist attack.

"I will chair an emergency meeting later this morning.

"All my thoughts are with the victims, their families and the emergency services on the scene."

An armed police officer mans a cordon on the Seven Sisters Road at Finsbury Park in north London, where one person has been arrested after a vehicle struck pedestrians (PA Wire/PA Images)
An armed police officer mans a cordon on the Seven Sisters Road at Finsbury Park in north London, where one person has been arrested after a vehicle struck pedestrians (PA Wire/PA Images) (PA)

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "One man was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Officers are in the process of informing next of kin. A post mortem examination will be scheduled due course.

"Eight people injured were taken to three separate hospitals; two people were treated at the scene for minor injuries."

Police man a cordon at the scene in the Finsbury Park area of north London
Police man a cordon at the scene in the Finsbury Park area of north London (Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty)

Commenting on reports that the van driver also produced a knife, the statement went on: "At this stage there are no reports of any persons having suffered any knife injuries.

"The driver of the van - a man aged 48 - was found detained by members of public at the scene and then arrested by police in connection with the incident.

"He has been taken to hospital as a precaution and will be taken into custody once discharged.

"He will also be subject of a mental health assessment in due course."

The force said the investigation of the incident is being carried out by the Counter Terrorism Command.

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Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Neil Basu said eight people are in hospital and two others were treated at the scene.

All of the casualties were Muslims, he added.

He said: "The attack unfolded whilst a man was receiving first aid from the public at the scene; sadly, he has died.

"Any causative link between his death and the attack will form part of our investigation.

"It is too early to state if his death was as a result of the attack."

The attacker struck as the area was busy with worshippers attending Ramadan night prayers at the mosque.

Samuel Osborne19 June 2017 08:50
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Samuel Osborne19 June 2017 08:53
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Zet Mavusi, 38, told Katie Forster his friend's car had been smashed by the van.

Samuel Osborne19 June 2017 08:55
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Samuel Osborne19 June 2017 08:59
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Local resident Alison is here with these signs, Ben Kentish writes.

She said: "I'm very angry and upset. This is a very friendly and peaceful neighbourhood and I'm very angry that someone has come in and done something so stupid.

"I want people who now feel hurt and threatened and upset to know that we love them being here just like we do with everyone. This is not a war, it's just deranged idiots acting out their macho fantasies."

Samuel Osborne19 June 2017 09:03
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A black funeral van has just gone inside cordon, Ben Kentish reports.

Samuel Osborne19 June 2017 09:04
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Samuel Osborne19 June 2017 09:04

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