London attack: Third terrorist named as Youssef Zaghba from east London
Police say Zaghba was 'not police or MI5 subject of interest' despite attempting to travel to Syria
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The third London Bridge attacker has been named as 22-year-old Youssef Zaghba.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said Zaghba was believed to be an Italian national of Moroccan descent
"He was not a police or MI5 subject of interest," he added, despite claims Italian authorities had alerted the UK.
Italian intelligence sources told the Corriere della Sera newspaper he made visits to his mother in the northern Italian city of Bologna.
Reports said Zaghba, who was born in Fez in 1995, attempted to fly to Turkey and travel onwards to Syria last year but was stopped at Bologna airport.
He reportedly told police officers at the time: "I'm going to be a terrorist."
Italian intelligence agencies had tipped off authorities in both the UK and Morocco about his movements, it was claimed.
After the attempt failed, Zaghba reportedly moved back to Britain and got a temporary job at a restaurant in London.
Metropolitan Police previously identified attackers Khuram Butt and Rachid Redouane but said inquiries continued to confirm Zaghba's identity on Monday.
"Detectives are particularly keen to hear about places they may have frequented and their movements in the days and hours before the attack."
All three men were shot dead by armed police within eight minutes of the first 999 call to Saturday night's attack.
The trio ploughed a hired van into pedestrians on London Bridge before rampaging through bars and pubs surrounding Borough Market stabbing passers-by, killing seven people in injuring dozens more.
Butt, 27, was a British citizen who was born in Pakistan and gave his name as Abz Zeitan to acquaintances.
Redouane, 30, formerly lived with his wife and baby daughter in Ireland and had claimed to be Moroccan and Libyan. He also used the name Rachid Elkhdar, claiming to be five years younger.
Authorities are investigating how the trio planned the atrocity, despite Butt being known to police and MI5, having being reported to the anti-terror hotline and appearing on a documentary on British Islamists.
Zaghba was identified as searches continued at homes linked to the perpetrators, with a 27-year-old man arrested in Barking on Tuesday morning.
Twelve other men and women arrested as part of the investigation have all been released without charge.
Isis claimed responsibility for the massacre, as well as the Manchester bombing and Westminster attack, saying it had been carried out by a “unit of Islamic State fighters”.
The group has called for supporters to launch intensified terror attacks around the world during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, as it seeks to maintain momentum while suffering heavy losses in Syria and Iraq.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments