New Delhi:
At least six people were killed and several others injured on Sunday (Saturday night GMT) in two terror attacks at central London landmarks in which police shot dead three suspects.
The attack that took place at London Bridge and Borough Market comes just days ahead of the general election on June 8.
The first incident was reported at London Bridge when a van swerved off the road into a crowd of pedestrians, BBC reported.
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, it said.
Within minutes, there were reports of a second attack at Borough market on the South Bank of the Thames where three men started stabbing people including a young girl.
At least 30 people were taken to hospitals across London after the deadly incident which took place last night, leaving the whole nation in shock which still recovers from the Manchester arena suicide bombing nearly two weeks ago.
This is the third terror attack in the UK since March.
On 22 May, 22 people were killed and 116 injured in a suicide bombing at Manchester Arena.
The attacker, identified as 22-year-old Salman Abedi, detonated a home-made bomb in the arena’s foyer as crowds were leaving a performance by US singer Ariana Grande late in the evening.
On 22 March, six people died, including the attacker, and at least 50 people were injured in an attack near the Houses of Parliament.
Attacker Khalid Masood first drove his car at pedestrians on the pavement on Westminster Bridge before crashing into a perimeter fence. Masood, armed with a knife, then left the vehicle and ran towards Parliament, where he was shot dead by police.
Live updates:
#9:30 AM: PM Modi condemns London attacks, terms the incident 'shocking & anguishing'
Attacks in London are shocking & anguishing. We condemn them. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 4, 2017
#9:05 AM: London Ambulance Service update: Ove 30 people have been taken to five hospitals following bridge attacks
#8:30 AM: London's police say six people have died in addition to three attackers: AP
#Visuals Police at the site in London after two terror attacks, of a van hitting pedestrians on London Bridge & stabbings at Borough Market. pic.twitter.com/R3KZ4HAJ5z
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 4, 2017
7:30 AM: London Mayor statement: 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.
My statement on the cowardly terrorist attack in London tonight: https://t.co/PaGXogN60N
Please continue to follow @metpoliceuk for updates pic.twitter.com/AcGaju2Svp
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) June 4, 2017
Our latest statement about the incident in #LondonBridge. We have taken at least 20 patients to six hospitals across London. pic.twitter.com/eDRdk48CBu
— London Ambulance (@Ldn_Ambulance) June 4, 2017
#7:15 AM: World leaders condemn the attack:
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
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
Awful news from London tonight. We're monitoring the situation - Canadians in need of help please see below: https://t.co/NVHwMlD2uu
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 3, 2017
#7:00 AM: US condemns the terrorist attack on London Bridge, Ivanka Trump tweets "Praying for the people of London. We stand in solidarity with our friends from the U.K. You are in our thoughts and prayers"
Praying for the people of London. We stand in solidarity with our friends from the U.K. You are in our thoughts and prayers.â¤ï¸ #londonbridge
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 4, 2017
After an hour of being stuck in the #londonbridge area and told to run by police, Muslim shopkeepers offered me food and a place to stay.
— jared (@gxyred) June 4, 2017
I have just had a Muslim taxi driver take me home and he has cried on me over the attacks tonight,terrorism has no religion #LondonBridge ðŸ™ðŸ»
— J E S S (@JessSmith97) June 4, 2017
Situation in London must be very serious when 13 ambulances are heading for #LondonBridgepic.twitter.com/POILhfQl9p
— Kevin W. (@kwilli1046) June 4, 2017
Terrifying testimony from stabbing witness Gerard who just spoke to me about what happened #LondonBridgepic.twitter.com/9stFtDwYek
— Mahrukh (@Mahrukh_Irshad)
June 4, 2017
#6:30 AM: London police say incident at Vauxhall is not connected to the London Bridge or Borough Market incident
#6:25 AM: British Prime Minister Theresa May called the events a “potential act of terrorism”.“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.
Read | Just before United Kingdom blast, bomber said to have pleaded 'forgive me'
“The Prime Minister is in contact with officials and is being regularly updated on the incident at London Bridge,” Downing Street said.
Transport for London said the bridge has been closed in both directions due to a “major police incident”.
London Ambulance Service tweeted: “Multiple resources attending an incident at #LondonBridge, please avoid the area”.
Holly Jones, a BBC reporter who was present at London Bridge at the time of the 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.
