London terror attack live updates: Seven killed in London Bridge and Borough Market before armed police shoot three suspects dead
Prime Minister warns Britain is in the grip of a spate of copycat terror attacks
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At least seven people were killed and dozens more injured after a van drove into pedestrians on London Bridge and several men then started stabbing passersby in what police said was a terrorist attack.
The incident began on London Bridge when a white transit-style van drove into a crowd of people "at about 50mph", according to witnesses.
Police said the van then drove to the nearby Borough Market where three men began attacking people. Three suspects were shot dead by armed police.
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Three men have been shot dead after killing seven and injuring 48 more with a van and knife attack in London.
The killings on Saturday night were the second terrorist atrocity to hit the country in as many weeks after 22 were killed at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
Attackers brought carnage to the streets of the capital, stabbing a police officer and revellers with 12-inch knives, reportedly shouting "this is for Allah".
The trio were pictured wearing what appeared to be explosive vests, with Scotland Yard later confirming they were hoaxes.
Armed police rushed to the scene and shot dead the three male attackers in the Borough Market area near the bridge, as authorities urged Londoners on Twitter to "run, hide, tell" if they were caught up in the violence.
The attacks came just five days ahead of a national parliamentary election on Thursday. The ruling Conservative Party suspended national campaigning on Sunday, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said.
"Following updates from police and security officials, I can confirm that the terrible incident in London is being treated as a potential act of terrorism," Ms May said in a statement as events unfolded.
The killings also occurred less than two weeks after a suicide bomber killed 22 people at a pop concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande in Manchester in northern England.
The BBC showed a photograph of two possible attackers shot by police, one of whom had canisters strapped to his body. Hours after the attack the area remained sealed off and patrolled by armed police and counter-terrorism officers.
The London Ambulance Service said 48 people had been taken to five hospitals across the city and a number of others had been treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Streets around London Bridge and Borough Market, an area that is a major transport hub and is packed with bars and restaurants, was busy with people on a night out.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan spoke of a "cowardly attack on innocent Londoners and visitors to our city enjoying their Saturday night".
Harun Khan, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, says in a statement that he is "appalled and angered by the terrorist attacks at London Bridge and Borough Market, in my home city". "These acts of violence were truly shocking and I condemn them in the strongest terms," he says"Muslims everywhere are outraged and disgusted at these cowards who once again have destroyed the lives of our fellow Britons. That this should happen in this month of Ramadan, when many Muslims were praying and fasting only goes to show that these people respect neither life nor faith. "My prayers are with the victims and all those affected. I commend the work of our emergency services working hard to keep us safe and cope with the ensuing carnage. As ever we urge everyone to assist the authorities so that these criminals can be apprehended and brought to justice.”
Japan issues a travel advisory warning its nationals to avoid places of what it calls potential targets in London, including sightseeing spots, department stores, markets, concert venues and political rallies, the Associated Press reports. The Foreign Ministry says Japanese visitors should "pay close attention to the surroundings, and leave quickly if any suspicious signs are seen".
Home Secretary Amber Rudd says: "This was an horrific attack in the heart of our capital city, targeted at people enjoying their evening with friends and family. My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this incident."As ever, in difficult and traumatic circumstances, I am extremely proud of and thankful to our police and emergency services who responded so swiftly and those who will work tirelessly as the investigation into this appalling act continues."
Six people died in the terrorist incidents and three attackers were shot dead by police, Scotland Yard says.
A British Transport Police officer was among those hurt. He was stabbed in the face, head and leg and the injuries were described as "serious but not life-threatening" by police
Extra police officers are to be deployed in London over the next few days, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley says
Photographer Gabriele Sciotto, who took photographs of the dead suspects says that before they were killed by armed police they appeared to have “no clue what they were doing”. “They were scared. The police were scared,” he says.
Brendan Cox, whose wife Jo Cox, a Labour MP, was murdered by a right-wing terrorist last year, writes: "Thinking of everyone caught up in yet more pointless horror. It will achieve nothing, it will not change us, it will not defeat us."
Ariana Grande has tweeted that she is "praying for London". Twenty-two of her fans and their parents were killed in the Manchester suicide bomb attack last month. She is due to perform at a benefit concert for victims of the attack tonight, along with Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Coldplay and Miley Cyrus.
The number of people being treated for injuries sustained in the attack has risen from 20 to 30.
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