Seven people have been confirmed dead in two terror incidents in central London late on Saturday night. A van hit people on London Bridge shortly after 2.38 a.m. IST, Sunday. The suspects then left the vehicle and a number of people were stabbed at nearby Borough Market, known for its restaurants and bars. At least 48 people are being treated for injuries in hospitals. In addition to the six dead, police have confirmed that three male suspects were confronted and shot dead at Borough Market.
This incident comes almost two weeks after 22 people died in a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. In March, five people were killed in London when a car mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge. A police officer was stabbed outside Parliament.
Watch: Eyewitness heard ‘six gunshots’ as crowds flee scene of attack
Here are the updates (IST)
7.25 p.m.: A British Transport Police Officer is in a stable condition in hospital after being injured when he confronted the knife-wielding attackers armed only with a baton outside London Bridge station on Saturday night, Vidya Ram reports from London. “For an officer who only joined us less than two years go, the bravery he showed was outstanding and makes me extremely proud,” said Chief Constable Paul Crowther.
6.20 p.m.: U.S. President Donald Trump says the attack in London showed it was time to “stop being politically correct,” warning the threat will only grow worse otherwise.
"We must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people. If we don't get smart it will only get worse," Mr. Trump says in a tweet.
In a series of early morning tweets, Mr. Trump also pours scorn on London Mayor Sadiq Khan's attempt to reassure the public after three assailants smashed a van into pedestrians on London Bridge on Saturday then attacked revellers with knives.
"At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is 'no reason to be alarmed!'" he says in one tweet.
In another tweet, Mr. Trump derided gun control advocates.
"Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? That's because they used knives and a truck!"
5.40 p.m.: British police have arrested 12 people in connection with the attacks, after raiding several addresses in Barking, a suburb to the east of the capital. "The investigation into last night's horrific attack in London is progressing rapidly as the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) continue to piece together exactly what occurred," the force says in a statement.
It adds that "a number of addresses" in Barking were still being searched.
AFP reports that one of its photographers saw four women wearing Islamic veils over their faces were seen being led away by police, although it’s not clear whether they are among those arrested.
There were several police vehicles outside a block of flats that had been cordoned off.
4.00 p.m: British media are reporting that an armed police operation taking place in east London, according to AP. Scotland Yard has declined to comment about the reports of the raid, or say whether the operation was linked to Saturday’s attacks in London Bridge.
Footage from Sky News and social media show a police cordon around an apartment building in Barking, a suburb in east London.
Authorities have said officers shot dead all three attackers in Saturday’s night’s attack, which left seven people dead, but that the investigation is continuing.
Manchester Police said that security will be increased for the highly-anticipated Ariana Grande benefit concert later on Sunday. The 'One Love Manchester' event will take place as planned but with extra protection.
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said Sunday there will be additional security checks and everyone will be searched at the Manchester event. Armed police will also attend.
3.00 p.m:
"Time to say enough is enough"
Britain's general elections will go on as scheduled, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday while addressing the media after the emergency COBRA meeting in the aftermath of the London terror attack. "As a mark of respect, the two national parties have suspended their campaigns but violence can never be allowed to disrupt life," she said, adding that campaigns will resume on Monday.
Ms. May said the nation "must come together, pull together" and "united, we will take on and defeat our enemies". She said that security services had disrupted five credible terror plots since the Westminster attack in March. "We cannot, must not pretend that this can continue," she added.
Ms. May also called for tougher measures to counter terrorism at home, both on the ground and in cyberspace. "We cannot allow this ideology [Islam] the safe space it needs to breed - but that is what internet provides. We need to reach international agreements that regulate cyberspace and do everything we can at home to reduce this threat," she said. "But we must not forget about safe spaces that continue to exist in real world.Significant progress has been made in recent years, but there is too much tolerance of extremism in recent years. We have a robust counter-terrorism strategy, but as the nature of threat becomes more complex, strategy needs to keep up."
"These [Westminster, Manchester and London bridge] attacks are not connected by a common network, but connected by this - single Islamist ideology that claims western values are incompatible with values of Islam, an ideology that is a perversion of Islam. Defeating this ideology is one of the great challenges of our time. It can only be defeated if we turn people's lives away from this violence," she added.
2.15 p.m: In the aftermath of the attack London’s police force used a new warning system urging people to “Run, Hide, Tell,” outlining the ways in which people should respond if caught up in an attack.
2.00 p.m.: Commissioner Cressida Dick Dick told reporters that seven members of the public have died, in addition to the three suspects. "We don't believe any suspects are at large," she added. The three attackers were shot dead by police within minutes. Ms. Dick said police believed that the incident was under control, but a large police cordon remained in place in the area, south of the Thames, on Sunday. She added that police patrols will be increased in London, including those by armed officers.
1.45 p.m.: Horrified witnesses of the terror attacks narrated tales of the gruesome events that unfolded when three knife-wielding men mowed down people and launched a stabbing spree when many were out for dinner or drinks in restaurants and pubs.
Bethany Atkin, a journalist, was at Boro Bistro at small restaurant which sits under a small bridge on Borough High Street. “We were sitting outside under umbrellas underneath the bridge and there was a shower of rubble that landed on the umbrellas, a van had crashed into the bridge.
This photo taken by photographer Gabriele Sciotto shows a man, foreground, one of the suspects, wearing what appear to be canisters strapped to his chest lying on the ground after being shot by police outside Borough Market in London on June 3, 2017.
12.45 p.m: The Indian High Commission in London has communicated that there are no reports of Indians being caught up in the attack, reports Vidya Ram, The Hindu 's correspondent in London.
Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull told a news conference in Sydney that two Australians were affected by the attacks. One is in hospital. They are trying to determine the status of the second.
According to Reuters, two French citizens were injured, French President Emmanuel Macron's office said in a statement. A spokesperson added that one of them is "seriously injured".
Reuters adds that the Scottish National Party has suspended campaigning activity. Earlier, the Conservative Party suspended its campaigning today.
11.45 a.m: London Mayor Sadiq Khan , speaking live: "The threat levels remain severe and it means that the whole country is under alert. Over the next few days in London you will see an increased police presence. They [terrorists] are evil cowards and London will never be cowed. We will never let them win." Mr Khan said he wasn't in favour of postponing the general election on Thursday. He added that some of those injured in are in 'critical' condition.
11.40 a.m: The Conservative Party has confirmed it has suspended its national general election campaigning today. A party spokesperson has said, "we will review as the day goes on and as more details of the attack emerge."
In pictures: seven killed in central London terror attacks
11.30 a.m: An update on the British Transport Police (BTP) officer who was injured. BTP has said that " he received injuries to his head, face and leg, which, at this time, are believed to be serious but not life threatening. He is currently being treated in a central London hospital and his family are with him while he receives treatment." The officer was on duty and one of the first on the scene at London Bridge, after he responded to calls for help from the public.
11.25 a.m.: U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken with British Prime Minister Theresa May on phone to offer his condolences over Saturday’s “brutal” terror attacks in central London.
Mr. Trump also offered the U.S.’ “full support” in investigating the two terror attacks at the iconic London Bridge and Borough Market in the heart of the U.K.’s capital.
“He praised the heroic response of police and other first responders and offered the full support of the United States Government in investigating and bringing those responsible for these heinous acts to justice,” the White House said in a statement after the phone call between the two leaders on Saturday.
11.10 a.m: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemns the attacks.
"Attacks in London are shocking & anguishing. We condemn them. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured," the PM tweeted.
11.00 a.m: The assault began when a van veered off the road and barreled into pedestrians on London Bridge, reports the Associated Press. Three men fled the van with large knives and attacked people at bars and restaurants in nearby Borough Market, police and witnesses said. The violence turned a summery night in an area packed with revelers into a scene of panic and chaos, with officers running through crowded streets screaming for people to flee. Lifeboats on the River Thames helped evacuate the area.
The Metropolitan Police force declared the attacks “terrorist incidents.” Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said that while they believe all the attackers were killed, the investigation continued. “We believe three people were involved, but we still have got some more inquiries to do to be 100 percent confident in that,” he said.
10.50 a.m: 48 people are now being treated in hospitals across London, London Ambulance confirmed in a statement. " Members of the public who are concerned about friends and relatives should contact the police Casualty Bureau on 0800 096 1233 or 020 7158 0197.
“As we are still very busy, we would urge the public to only call us in a genuine emergency and to call NHS 111 for urgent healthcare advice.”
10.40 a.m.: U.S. President Donald Trump has underscored his controversial travel ban on citizens from six Muslim-majority countries in view of Saturday’s terror attacks in central London.
“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!” Trump said in a tweet.
10.30 a.m.: Photographer Gabriele Sciotto captured a picture of one of the attackers wearing what appear to be canisters strapped to his chest. The 25-year-old Sciotto says he was on his way home from a pub when he saw a man running toward him telling him to turn around and run because there was a terrorist attack. As a documentary filmmaker, though, his instincts were to keep going. The men went into Borough Market, but they turned around and ran toward the Wheatsheaf Pub after being confronted by a police officer. He says suddenly a lot of police came from the other direction
10.00 a.m.: Japan has issued 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 warning comes amid unfolding terrorist attacks at London Bridge and nearby Borough Market. The Foreign Ministry says Japanese visitors should “pay close attention to the surroundings, and leave quickly if any suspicious signs are seen.”
9.25 a.m.: Here's a statement from London Ambulance Service: “We have now taken over 30 patients to five hospitals across London following the incident at London Bridge. A number of other patients were treated for less serious injuries at the scene. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. The five hospitals are: St Mary’s Hospital, London, St Thomas’ Hospital, University College Hospital, King’s College Hospital, The Royal London Hospital
9.10 a.m.: Prime Minister Theresa May will head a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee later this morning. She expressed her gratitude to the emergency services.
The London police have stated that any images or videos of London Bridge & Borough Market incidents can be shared with police here.
8.32 a.m.: London Metropolitan Police: "The suspects were wearing what looked like explosive vests but these were later established to be hoaxes." Here is the full statement of the Metropolitan Police on the terror attack. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. It must be remembered that ISIS had claimed responsibility for the Manchester blasts last month.
8.20 a.m.: Police say the civilian death toll has increased to six. The police added that three male suspects were shot dead. The suspects wore what looked like explosive vests. They were shot at Borough Market. The number of casualties is rising.
Here is a statement from the London Met Police speaking to reporters: "People should be vigilant and contact police. Our current belief is that there were three attackers. We still have more enquiries to do to be 100% confident. We have strengthened our armed police presence. "
8.10 a.m.: Statement from London Mayor Sadiq Khan: " My thoughts are with everyone affected, and I'd like to thank the brave men and women of our emergency services who were first on the scene and will be working throughout the night. The situation is still unfolding and I would ask all Londoners and visitors to our city to remain calm and vigilant. Please report anything suspicious to the police, but only call 999 in an emergency. We don't yet know the full details, but this was a deliberate and cowardly attack on innocent Londoners and visitors to our city enjoying their Saturday night. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. There is no justification whatsoever for such barbaric acts. For further updates or information please follow the Metropolitan Police on Twitter: www.twitter.com/metpoliceuk "
7.50 a.m.: Police appeal to people to avoid London Bridge area. This attack happened around the same time as the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus, with several football fans out in pubs and bars to catch the game on TV.
7.20 a.m.: Facebook activates safety check tool for people to mark themselves safe and alert their friends and family.
7.14 a.m.: London Police unable to confirm that all terrorists are accounted for. A photo shows an attacker with canisters strapped to his body. Several people said they were locked inside pubs and restaurants by the police and had to come out with their hands on their heads. An eyewitness video sent to BBC shows people inside a pub being told to lie flat on the floor by the police.
7.10 a.m.: “We have taken at least 20 patients to six hospitals across London following the incident at London Bridge,” the London Ambulance Service's assistant director of operations, Peter Rhodes, said in a statement on Sunday. “We have also treated a number of people at the scene for less serious injuries.”
7.05 a.m.: Holly Jones, a BBC reporter who was present at London Bridge at the time of incident said a van veered off the road into a crowd of pedestrians. “A white van driver came speeding — probably about 50mph — veered off the road into the crowds of people who were walking along the pavement,” she told BBC News . “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,” she said.
A large number of police officers were seen gearing up with helmets and riot gear, believed to be on the hunt for suspects. There were also reports of some people being taken into police custody.
Police and members of the emergency services attend to victims of a terror attack on London Bridge in central London on June 3, 2017
7.00 a.m: “From 2208 hrs (local time) officers responded to reports of a vehicle in collision with pedestrians on #London Bridge. Officers have then responded to reports of stabbings in #BoroughMarket. Armed officers responded and shots have been fired,” Metropolitan Police said in a statement on Twitter. “Officers are now responding to an incident in the #Vauxhall area,” the statement added. There are reports of a number of casualties, British Transport Police has said.
6.45 a.m.: U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s office said she would chair a meeting of the government’s COBRA emergency committee on Sunday. She confirmed that the attack “is being treated as a potential act of terrorism” and said her thoughts were with “those who are caught up in these dreadful events.”
“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,” May said in a statement.
Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn condemned the attacks
“Brutal and shocking incidents reported in London. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Thank you to the emergency services,” Corbyn said.
