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London Bridge attack: 21 of those injured are in critical condition, NHS says - live updates London Bridge attack: 21 of those injured in critical condition, NHS says - latest updates
(35 minutes later)
4.44pm BST
16:44
Denis Campbell
My colleague, Denis Campbell, has more information on the member of public who suffered gunshot wounds, confirming the man was shot in the head.
The man shot in the head during last night’s events around London Bridge is alive, “absolutely not dying” and expected to make a full recovery, a senior doctor at the Royal London Hospital has told the Guardian.
Confirmation of the man’s condition came from Dr Malik Ramadhan, the divisional director for trauma at the hospital in east London, where the patient is being treated. “We had one gunshot wound. There’s a patient in this hospital who’s been shot in the head; a man. He’s absolutely not dying. Our expectation is that he will make a full recovery”, said Dr Ramadhan.
The unnamed man is one of 12 people taken to the Royal London with serious injuries, the other 11 of whom sustained from both the van careering across London Bridge and the stabbings that followed. Six of those 12 are receiving critical care.
Dr Ramadhan’s statement contradicts reports in other media, at least one of which claimed that the man had died.
4.43pm BST
16:43
Jamie Grierson
Rowley said the member of public who suffered gunshot wounds did not suffer injuries “critical in nature”.
As the officers confronted the terrorist, a member of hte public also suffered gunshot wounds.
Although the injuries are not critical in nature, they are in hospital receiving medical attention and we will of course keep you updated on that.
4.40pm BST
16:40
Jamie Grierson
Rowley said the attack started at 9.58pm as the attackers drove a van from north to south over London Bridge.
The van mounted the pavement and collided with pedestrians before being abandoned where attackers were armed with knives, continued into the Borough Market area, stabbing numerous people.
The attackers were then confronted by the firearms officers and I can confirm eight police firearms officers discharged their weapons.
While this will be subject to an investigation by the IPCC, our initial assessment is in the region of 50 rounds, 50 bullets, were fired by those eight officers. The three attackers were shot dead.
The situation these officers were confronted with was critical – a matter of life and death – three armed men wearing what appeared to be suicide belts.
They had already attacked and killed members of the public and had to be stopped immediately. Indeed, I’m not surprised with what they must have feared were three suicide bombers the firearms officers fired an unprecedented number of rounds to be completely confident they had neutralised the threat that those men posed.
Updated
at 4.43pm BST
4.37pm BST
16:37
Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, has condemned President Trump for his comment about the London mayor, Sadiq Khan. (See 3.29pm.) Farron said:
Donald Trump has shown how little he cares for the special relationship and how much he will twist the truth to try and justify his divisive policies.
Sadiq Khan has shown calm and dignified resolve in the face of these cowardly terrorist attacks. He is more of a statesman than Donald Trump will ever be.
4.34pm BST
16:34
Jamie Grierson
Rowley said the investigation had made good progress but there “remains much more to do”.
We’re making significant progress in identifying the three attackers and confirming the fact there were no other suspects at the scene when the attack was carried out.
Work is ongoing to understnd more about them, about their connections and whether they were assisted and supported by anyone else.
Searches and 12 arrests have been made in east London, he said.
There is clearly more to do and we will work relentlessly to get to the facts.
We established that the van used in the attack was a white Renault van that was recently hired by one of the attackers.
Updated
at 4.36pm BST
4.30pm BST
16:30
A member of the public also suffered a gunshot wound - counter-terror chief
Jamie Grierson
Mark Rowley, Met police assistant commissioner, said a member of the public suffered a gunshot wound as officers attempted to neutralise the terrorists with an “unprecedented” level of gunfire.
The individual is being treated in hospital, Rowley said.
Eight armed officers opened fire as they attempted to stop the knife-wielding attackers and discharged around 50 bullets, he said.
In addition, detectives have confirmed the white Renault van used by the attackers was hired shortly before the attack.
Updated
at 4.32pm BST
4.24pm BST
16:24
ITV’s Peston on Sunday has released the transcript of Robert Peston’s interview with Amber Rudd, the home secretary, this morning. (See 10.53am.) Here are the key points.
Rudd explained why the joint terrorism analysis centre (JTAC) had decided not to raise the threat level from severe to critical.
The level of severe means an attack is highly likely, and we’ve been at that level for three years. [The level went up to critical after Manchester] because in Manchester we had to be, the police had to be absolutely sure that there was no additional material or explosives out there that could mean there might be a follow up attack. When they became satisfied of that, the independent assessor of the threat level, JTAC, said it was right to come back down to severe. We don’t believe there is additional elements which could be carrying on the attack last night, or JTAC, rather, has made that assessment, so they haven’t recommended going to critical.
She said the police were confident the attackers were “radical Islamist terrorists”.
She refused to say if the attackers were known to the authorities.
She said Theresa May’s reference in her speech (see 11.56am) to “taking military action to destroy Isis in Iraq and Syria” was not intended to mean she wants more military action.
She said the government was working with international allies to get internet companies to do more to tackle extremism. There were two priorities, she said.
There is international agreement that we need to get those companies to do more. It’s not good enough just to say, do no harm. We have to get them to actively to work with us to stop their platforms being used to radicalised. It’s two, it’s two points to it. One is to make sure that they do more to take down the material that is radicalising people, and secondly to help work with us to limit the amount of end-to-end encryption that otherwise terrorists can use to plot their devices.
She said the government did not want to exploit the attack politically.
We are plain vanilla about making sure there’s no political points scoring as we go about trying to keep people safe. Of course it’s right to have a debate about it, but I hope we can do it without introducing politics.
Updated
at 4.33pm BST
4.15pm BST
16:15
Lisa O'Carroll
Lisa O’Carroll has spoken to a witness to the Barking Road raid
Witnesss to Barking Road raid says two Romanians lived in flat, plus one Somalian https://t.co/BXTJpmSD7y
4.14pm BST
16:14
Full statement from Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau
Jamie Grierson
The prime minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement after last night’s terrorist attack, confirming a Canadian was killed:
Canada strongly condemns the senseless attack that took place last night in London, United Kingdom, which killed and injured many innocent people. I am heartbroken that a Canadian is among those killed.
We grieve with the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones, and wish all those injured a speedy and full recovery.
Londoners and people across the United Kingdom have always displayed strength and resilience in the face of adversity. We recently witnessed this after the attacks in Manchester and in the Westminster area of London. This time will be no different.
These hateful acts do not deter us; they only strengthen our resolve. Canadians stand united with the British people. We will continue to work together with the United Kingdom and all our allies to fight terrorism and bring perpetrators to justice.
The government of Canada will not comment further at this time out of respect for the family.
Updated
at 4.17pm BST
4.12pm BST
16:12
Haroon Siddique
All signs are that the police cordon will remain in place overnight, which is likely to cause major disruption if still in place on Monday morning.
One police officer said the hope was that the cordon would be lifted by tomorrow morning. Officers have also been advising people allowed into the cordon – because they live within the area taped off or are staying in hotels there – to stock up on food to save them having to cross in and out of the cordon again.
Updated
at 4.14pm BST
4.06pm BST4.06pm BST
16:0616:06
Canadian killed in London attacks - Justin TrudeauCanadian killed in London attacks - Justin Trudeau
The Press Association reports a Canadian national was among those killed in the London Bridge terror attack, the country’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has said.The Press Association reports a Canadian national was among those killed in the London Bridge terror attack, the country’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.09pm BSTat 4.09pm BST
4.05pm BST4.05pm BST
16:0516:05
Lisa O'CarrollLisa O'Carroll
Rashid Rehman, who runs a fish shop nearby who saw the police raid on the flat above Paddy Power, said: “The swat teams came from the back and the front, there were police with machine guns.”Rashid Rehman, who runs a fish shop nearby who saw the police raid on the flat above Paddy Power, said: “The swat teams came from the back and the front, there were police with machine guns.”
4.02pm BST4.02pm BST
16:0216:02
A series of images have come into the Guardian picture desk of a raid at an address in Barking, showing a number of women being led away in handcuffs.A series of images have come into the Guardian picture desk of a raid at an address in Barking, showing a number of women being led away in handcuffs.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.06pm BSTat 4.06pm BST
3.55pm BST3.55pm BST
15:5515:55
Nadia KhomamiNadia Khomami
Giovanni Sagristani and his friends were in El Pastor restaurant on Stoney Street last night when one of the attackers came in and stabbed a woman in the chest.Giovanni Sagristani and his friends were in El Pastor restaurant on Stoney Street last night when one of the attackers came in and stabbed a woman in the chest.
“He came in shouting and just stabbed her,” Sagristani told the BBC.“He came in shouting and just stabbed her,” Sagristani told the BBC.
His partner, Carlos Pintos, who works as a critical care nurse, attended to the woman, with the help of his friend, also a nurse.His partner, Carlos Pintos, who works as a critical care nurse, attended to the woman, with the help of his friend, also a nurse.
“They took some ice and cloths and tried to stop the bleeding,” Sagristani said. “She lost half a litre of blood in the beginning. He was keeping pressure on the wound.”“They took some ice and cloths and tried to stop the bleeding,” Sagristani said. “She lost half a litre of blood in the beginning. He was keeping pressure on the wound.”
He said fellow diners threw chairs and bottles at the attacker and pushed him out the restaurant. Once he was outside, staff lowered the security gate and locked customers inside.He said fellow diners threw chairs and bottles at the attacker and pushed him out the restaurant. Once he was outside, staff lowered the security gate and locked customers inside.
“After the initial moment of panic everyone tried to help this girl and stay calm. We were all at the back of the restaurant. There were shots going off outside and we didn’t know what was going on.”“After the initial moment of panic everyone tried to help this girl and stay calm. We were all at the back of the restaurant. There were shots going off outside and we didn’t know what was going on.”
It was more than two hours before paramedics were able to attend to the scene. “They kept her conscious, it was very lucky they were there,” he said.It was more than two hours before paramedics were able to attend to the scene. “They kept her conscious, it was very lucky they were there,” he said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.59pm BSTat 3.59pm BST
3.55pm BST3.55pm BST
15:5515:55
PM made private visit to victims in hospital - Number 10PM made private visit to victims in hospital - Number 10
Sarah MarshSarah Marsh
Theresa May made a private visit to King’s College London hospital to hear firsthand accounts from patients and staff on Sunday afternoon. No 10 confirmed that the visit had been made but said no media was invited.Theresa May made a private visit to King’s College London hospital to hear firsthand accounts from patients and staff on Sunday afternoon. No 10 confirmed that the visit had been made but said no media was invited.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.58pm BSTat 3.58pm BST
3.52pm BST3.52pm BST
15:5215:52
My colleague, Lisa O’Carroll, is on location at a raided property in Barking.My colleague, Lisa O’Carroll, is on location at a raided property in Barking.
This is the flat the police have raided - above a Paddy Power on Barking Road, East Ham pic.twitter.com/5rvy7QSSHRThis is the flat the police have raided - above a Paddy Power on Barking Road, East Ham pic.twitter.com/5rvy7QSSHR
3.51pm BST3.51pm BST
15:5115:51
Our colleague Alan Travis points out that Iain Duncan Smith (see 2.02pm) does not seem aware that the Tpim legislation was updated in 2015 to allow terror suspects to be forced to move home.Our colleague Alan Travis points out that Iain Duncan Smith (see 2.02pm) does not seem aware that the Tpim legislation was updated in 2015 to allow terror suspects to be forced to move home.
. IDS a bit behind the curve on this one. Tpims given more powers in 2015, inc excluding suspects from London but still only handful used. pic.twitter.com/QSO8EzPttc. IDS a bit behind the curve on this one. Tpims given more powers in 2015, inc excluding suspects from London but still only handful used. pic.twitter.com/QSO8EzPttc
3.51pm BST3.51pm BST
15:5115:51
Haroon SiddiqueHaroon Siddique
Jane Cummings, chief nursing officer for England, and Sir Bruce Keogh, national medical director for NHS England, said in a joint statement:Jane Cummings, chief nursing officer for England, and Sir Bruce Keogh, national medical director for NHS England, said in a joint statement:
The appalling events in London last night follow all too fast on the heels of the dreadful attacks we have seen on Westminster Bridge and in Manchester over recent weeks. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.The appalling events in London last night follow all too fast on the heels of the dreadful attacks we have seen on Westminster Bridge and in Manchester over recent weeks. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.
On each occasion we have seen both the worst and the best of humanity. Last night, once again, the NHS and other emergency services reacted swiftly and heroically, going towards the danger to help the injured.On each occasion we have seen both the worst and the best of humanity. Last night, once again, the NHS and other emergency services reacted swiftly and heroically, going towards the danger to help the injured.
Tried and tested emergency plans were activated, with London ambulance service on the scene within six minutes. NHS staff across the capital have also volunteered to work extra shifts and through the night to help the emergency response.Tried and tested emergency plans were activated, with London ambulance service on the scene within six minutes. NHS staff across the capital have also volunteered to work extra shifts and through the night to help the emergency response.
As the medical director and chief nurse of the NHS in England we would like to put on record our gratitude and thanks to everyone for their tireless efforts and commitment in what has been a very difficult period.As the medical director and chief nurse of the NHS in England we would like to put on record our gratitude and thanks to everyone for their tireless efforts and commitment in what has been a very difficult period.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.55pm BSTat 3.55pm BST
3.45pm BST
15:45
21 people in critical condition - NHS chiefs
Jamie Grierson
NHS England says that 21 people injured in the London Bridge terror attack are in a critical condition.
3.42pm BST
15:42
Severin Carrell
The BBC has postponed its Question Time special this evening involving Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish National party leader, and Tim Farron, leader of the Lib Dems, after the London Bridge attacks, the BBC has said.
Filmed in Edinburgh, the programme was to have been aired during prime time at 6.05pm this evening following last week’s Question Time special featuring Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn. But the BBC has cancelled or postponed all of its set-piece Sunday political programming given the attack on London Bridge on Saturday night.
Jonathan Munro, head of newsgathering for BBC News, tweeted:
Tonight's Question Time Leader Special is making way for @BBCNews special. #bbcqt will be rescheduled.
There had been intense talks about rearranging today’s programme with the SNP and Lib Dems but no new date for filming or broadcasting the show has been agreed.
Sturgeon’s timetable is now looking extremely tight since she is also due to appear in a Scottish leaders debate on STV on Tuesday evening in Glasgow. She is also still working as first minister of Scotland, while also acting as figure head for her party’s general election campaign.
The BBC Question Time webpage has added to confusion about its rescheduling. It says the programme is being aired 10.30pm on Sunday on the BBC Parliament channel and was then being re-shown at midnight tonight on the BBC News Channel and 0.30am on Wednesday.
But party sources said this was inaccurate: today’s filming in Edinburgh has been cancelled.
Updated
at 3.49pm BST
3.34pm BST
15:34
Here’s a picture gallery pulling together photos from the events in London.
3.29pm BST
15:29
Trump 'ill-informed', says Sadiq Khan's spokesman
Downing Street has issued a fairly bland statement responding to what President Trump has been saying about Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, over his response to the London Bridge attack. (See 12.35pm.) It is supportive of Khan, but does not criticise the president. This is from the Daily Mirror’s Jack Blanchard.
NEW. Downing Street responds to @realDonaldTrump tweet about Sadiq Khan: pic.twitter.com/keTn4Kq8gU
A spokesman for Khan himself said the London mayor would not be responding personally to Trump’s “ill-informed” remark because he had better things to do. The spokesman said:
The mayor is busy working with the police, emergency services and the government to coordinate the response to this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack and provide leadership and reassurance to Londoners and visitors to our city.
He has more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump’s ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context his remarks urging Londoners not to be alarmed when they saw more police – including armed officers – on the streets.
Here is the Trump tweet again.
At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"
It quotes Khan out of context because what Khan actually said was:
My message to Londoners and visitors to our great city is to be calm and vigilant. You will see an increased police presence today, including armed officers and uniformed officers. There is no reason to be alarmed by this.
Trump’s tweet today may have been partially influenced by his memory of how Khan called the travel ban he proposed on people entering the US from seven Muslim-majority countries “shameful and cruel”.
Updated
at 3.37pm BST
3.23pm BST
15:23
Denis Campbell
As with the Westminster Bridge and Manchester Arena attacks, praise is coming in for the NHS staff and organisations who helped the injured last night.
Prof Karim Brohi, the director of the NHS’s London major trauma system, said there had been a “strong, standard [and] effective response across [the] London trauma system” from the capital’s hospitals and ambulance services. The system is now “fully operational today. Thank you all. #antifragile”, tweeted Brohi, who is a trauma and vascular surgeon.
Dr Paul Clyburn, the president of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland – some of whose members were called in to help with emergency operations last night – tweeted: “Sad, atrocious, cowardly London attack. Sympathy to victims & families. Tribute to emergency services & colleagues caring for victims.”
NHS England is due to issue an update soon about the latest situation with the casualties.
Updated
at 3.28pm BST
3.08pm BST
15:08
Reports are emerging of a heavy police presence and cordons near East Ham town hall on Barking Road.
Witnesses reported a police van and four to five police cars arriving at the scene. Police tape has cordoned off the area.
Total chaos round Barking road/ High street, not looking good pic.twitter.com/ZriFczg7EC
Updated
at 3.10pm BST
3.06pm BST
15:06
UK to observe minute's silence on Tuesday
Jamie Grierson
The UK will observe a minute’s silence on Tuesday 6 June at 11am in remembrance of those who lost their lives and all others affected by the attacks in London on Saturday night.
The silence will be marked at all government buildings and other organisations may follow suit.
Flags will remain at half-mast on Whitehall government buildings until Tuesday evening.
3.04pm BST
15:04
Suspected attacker ejected from mosque - Barking resident
Matthew Taylor
Salahudee Jayabdeen, 40, said one of the suspected attackers had been forcibly removed from a local mosque called Jabir Bin Zyad after questioning the Imam during a service.
He said he had seen the man in the area for the past year.
It was about two months ago and he started questioning what the imam was saying. I can’t remember exactly what it was about but was asked to leave. He didn’t want to and was forcibly taken out.
Updated
at 3.21pm BST
2.57pm BST
14:57
Nadia Khomami
The owner of a restaurant in Borough Market has told how he and his staff helped take 130 customers to safety in the midst of last night’s attack.
Mark Stembridge, owner of Cafe Brood, said he saw three men brandishing weapons coming at pace towards his building. He immediately told his staff, some of whom were ex-military, to pull customers from the open balcony and take them inside.
He told HuffpostUK: “I can’t tell you what they were screaming but they seemed to hesitate when they saw we were slightly organised.
“Then they veered off underneath the bridge towards another establishment called Borough Bistro.”
Stembridge has called for more training to be given to restaurant owners in London and said police had passed on advice to him following the Westminster attack in March, and he in turn trained his staff.
“Having had the police down recently when we’ve had a couple of bomb scares, they’ve used some sort of technique of moving and waving their arms, and thats what the boys did, we’ve been told by the police what to do and we secured most of the people within the premises.”
Stembridge and his staff were evacuated to the Andaz hotel in Liverpool Street and were released this morning around 6am.
Updated
at 3.12pm BST
2.52pm BST
14:52
Alexandra Topping
Uber has come under fire on social media, with users accusing the company of profiting from last night’s terror attack on London Bridge.
Users accused the company of using “surge prices”, which come into operation automatically when demand is high. Some journeys cost as much as twice the normal fare in the hours following the attack, said users, as many frightened people were attempting to get home.
Hey @Uber -- you're really going to surge price x2.1 during a terrorist attack in #London??? Lower than low. #londonbridge #emergency pic.twitter.com/yXHFZsYZkT
Simon Moores accused the company of charging £40 for what he said would usually be a £7 journey from Knightsbridge to Victoria.
Big fan of @Uber but bitterly disappointed in profiting from a terrorist attack. ~£7 Knightsbridge to Victoria. Charging £40 #UberLondon https://t.co/SWbyp8Ss2I
Uber said fare surges were stopped as soon as it learned about the terror attack.
On Twitter the company said: “We suspended dynamic pricing as soon as we heard about the incident, as we did previously with Westminster and Manchester.”
We suspended dynamic pricing once we heard about the incident, as we did after the attacks in Westminster and Manchester
But some users said there had been a long delay of up to two hours before the surge was suspended.
Responding to a question from the Guardian, an Uber spokesman said “dynamic pricing” – which sees Uber prices increase with a surge in demand – had been suspended at 10.50pm, a few minutes after the company became aware of the incident.
Its general manager Tom Elvidge said the company would also refund all fares from around the affected area following the attack.
In a statement, Elvidge said: “Our hearts go out to everybody affected by yet another horrific attack on our city. We’d like to thank all the drivers who helped tens of thousands of Londoners get home safely last night. As soon as we heard about the incident we immediately suspended dynamic pricing all around the area of the attacks – and shortly afterwards across the whole of central London – just as we did following the attacks in Manchester and Westminster. We are also ensuring all rides from around the affected area were free of charge. Our team is also working with the Metropolitan police to help them get any footage from drivers who were in the area at the time.”
Updated
at 3.07pm BST