On Saturday evening, a van drove into pedestrians on the London Bridge in London, England. A witness said that she saw the van drive up onto the pavement and hit as many as six people.
The Metropolitan Police Department tweeted:
“We are dealing with an incident on #LondonBridge, when we have more information we will update this twitter feed.”
The police are searching for three armed suspects after the incident.
BBC Reporter Holly Jones said:
“A white van driver came speeding — probably about 50 mph — veered off the road into the crowds of people who were walking along the pavement. He swerved right round me and then hit about five or six people. He hit about two people in front of me and then three behind. I’d say there are about four severely injured people. They all have paramedics assisting them at the moment.”
Here is a map for reference:
Distance between #boroughmarket and #LondonBridge. pic.twitter.com/QR0msJvvy4
— Professor Off-Topic (@SocialSciNerd) June 3, 2017
Armed Metropolitan Police are also responding to an incident at the Borough Market nearby.
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
Police are saying that “more than one person has died,” and many were injured. The Telegraph reports two dead. There was a third incident in Vauxhall as well, but was initially unclear if it was related to the other incidents.
Metropolitan Police issued official advice for such situations:
#Londonbridge #boroughmarket #vauxhall pic.twitter.com/a7OciBEBjH
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 3, 2017
Journalists on the scene are taking eye-witness testimony from various people.
How does President Donald Trump respond? By advertising his travel ban:
We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2017
And, as an afterthought:
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2017
The Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, tweeted:
Brutal and shocking incidents reported in London. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Thank you to the emergency services.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 3, 2017
Emergency Services Respond
The response was being explained by a journalist from the Guardian:
“Guardian journalist Chris Johnston is in the area of London Bridge and says emergency services are continuing to descend on the area. He says a fire brigade command vehicle and operational support trucks and six fire engines just crossed Borough High Street along with two ambulances.”
Here is some footage from the Borough Market:
Scenes at Southwark police station borough high street #Londonbridge #london #breaking pic.twitter.com/MHj6czECB8
— Samantha Wild (@SamanthaWild) June 3, 2017
British Prime Minister Theresa May released the following statement:
“The terrible incident in London is being treated as a potential act of terrorism.”
As of 00:25 hrs London time, the incidents at the Borough Market and London Bridge were confirmed to be connected, and declared as terror attacks. The stabbing at Vauxhall is confirmed to be a separate incident, and not connected to the attack on the bridge at all.
Watch this news clip (after the jump) for more information:
This is a developing story, and will be updated as the news progresses. Check back soon for more information.
Featured image via YouTube screenshot.
