London Bridge stabbing: Two killed, police declare attack as 'terrorist incident'

Conflict

Crisis/Conflict/Terrorism

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 29 Nov 2019, 12:38 pm Print

Image Credit: British Transport Police Twitter Page

London: Two people were killed in a stabbing attack incident, which the police described as a 'terrorist' act, in London city on Friday, media reports said.

Police have also shot dead a suspect in the stabbing incident which occurred on the London Bridge.

A Whitehall source confirmed two members of the public died to the BBC but gave no further information.

The full statement read by AC Neil Basu can be found here: https://t.co/WXZvV7o01i

Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation can call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency call 999.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 29, 2019

Neil Basu, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said: "I can confirm that at approximately 2pm today, Friday, 29 November, police were called to a stabbing at a premises near to London Bridge, EC1."

"A male suspect was shot by specialist armed officers from City of London Police and I can confirm that this suspect died at the scene," he said.

"A number of other people received injuries during the incident and as soon as we can provide further updates on their condition, we will. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to those anxiously awaiting news from loved ones," the senior cop said.

"As you would expect, due to the nature of the incident, we responded as though it was terrorist-related. I am now in a position to confirm that it has been declared a terrorist incident. We are working jointly with the City of London Police as we continue to respond," Basu said.

The incident took place on Friday afternoon just hours before city workers end their work and head to the station for their train home.

London Bridge is one of the capital city's main transport hubs with thousands of commuters travelling through it daily.

I want to thank the emergency services and members of the public for their immense bravery in responding to this suspected terrorist attack at London Bridge.

This is an appalling incident and all my thoughts are with the victims and their families.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 29, 2019

Reacting to the incident, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that he wants to thank all emergency services for their quick response.

"I’m being kept updated on the incident at London Bridge and want to thank the police and all emergency services for their immediate response." — Prime Minister Boris Johnson
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 29, 2019

"I’m being kept updated on the incident at London Bridge and want to thank the police and all emergency services for their immediate response," Johnson posted.

I am in close contact with the Met Commissioner.

Please follow @MetPoliceUK for further updates and follow the directions of any officers on the ground if you are near the incident. https://t.co/h4oBVHlhCp
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) November 29, 2019

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "I am in close contact with the Met Commissioner. Please follow @MetPoliceUK for further updates and follow the directions of any officers on the ground if you are near the incident."

During a press conference, he appreciated people of London and said: "What is remarkable about the images we have seen is the breathtaking heroism of members of the public who literally ran towards danger not knowing what confronted them ... They really are the best of us. Another example of the bravery of ordinary Londoners running towards danger, risking their own personal safety to try and save others. And I want to say thank you to them on behalf of all Londoners."

Khan's remarks followed a spontaneous campaign started in social media with people posting screenshots of the video that captured passers-by neutralizing the attacker and thanking them.

#London #LondonBridge #LondonBridgeStabbing #LondonTerrorAttack