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London Bridge attack: 21 of those injured in critical condition, NHS says - latest updates London Bridge attack: 21 of those injured in critical condition, NHS says - latest updates
(35 minutes later)
5.54pm BST
17:54
Caroline Bannock
My colleague, Caroline Bannock, has spoken to Elizabeth, a 22-year-old Malaysian student studying in London, who was in Wagamama’s restaurant close to The Tate modern on the South Bank when the attack took place.
She described the chaos out on the streets when she tried to get home.
A waiter said London bridge was closed as there had been an attack. At the time it didn’t feel too close, my friend and I were thinking that the terror had taken place and it wouldn’t be happen again. It was just after 10:00pm and we decided to leave the restaurant. All the doors were locked which made us a bit scared as we realised that they had been trying to stop people getting in.
When we got outside we had a view of 100 people or so all milling around and trying to call cabs. People were standing on corners crying, the fire brigade were there and we started to realise that it wasn’t over, it was still active, we were really terrified then.
Elizabeth said they started walking towards Blackfriars bridge but couldn’t get a taxi.
Then people started running behind us, shouting; ‘They’re stabbing, they’re stabbing.’ Everyone started running and screaming. I held my friend’s hand and we ran for our lives, it’s the first time I’ve honestly felt this fear, this close, I was crying while running for minutes. When you see everyone else freaking out it’s a horrifying experience.
I remember there was a guy on a motorbike on the road and he did a U-turn and in that moment you just don’t know who anybody is, you don’t know what will happen.
Finally, she said, two offered them shelter in their flat which was a few streets away.
We stayed there until we could get a cab which wasn’t till 5:00am. On Sunday morning the streets were completely empty. I never expected something like that to happen to me, when it happens and it’s so close, it’s hard to get over.
5.44pm BST
17:44
What we know so far
Jamie Grierson
The attacks
Seven people have been killed in a terrorist attack in London late on Saturday night.
Attackers drove a van across London Bridge, deliberately targeting pedestrians, before leaving the vehicle and stabbing passersby in Borough Market.
The three suspects – all male – were shot dead by armed police, who arrived on the scene eight minutes after the first emergency call was made.
Canisters seen around the body of at least one of the suspects have been “established to be hoaxes”, police said.
At least 48 people were taken to five hospitals across the capital to be treated for their injuries. A total of 36 patients remain in hospital, of whom 21 remain in a critical condition.
A member of the public was shot in the crossfire as police officers attempted to neutralise the terrorists.
An “unprecedented” number of rounds - around 50 - were fired by eight armed officers to stop the attackers.
An officer from the British Transport police was among those seriously injured. He was one of the first officers on the scene and suffered wounds to his face, head and leg. He was armed only with a baton.
A Canadian national has been confirmed among the dead.
At least two French citizens and one Australian citizen are also among the wounded.
The names of those killed – and the perpetrators – are not yet known.
12 people have been arrested in Barking, east London. Raids took place at in flats on Kings Road and Barking Road.
A crashed van abandoned at the scene on Borough high street appeared to be a B&Q/Hertz hire van. It was hired by one of the attackers recently, officers said.
The reaction
The prime minister, Theresa May, chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee this morning. After, May warned that there has been “far too much tolerance of extremism” in the UK and, promised to step up the fight against Islamist terrorism after the London Bridge attack, saying “enough is enough”.
Campaigning for Thursday’s general election was suspended.
World leaders have expressed condolences, with the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, expressing her “sadness and dismay”, and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, saying France was “more than ever” at the side of the UK.
But the US president, Donald Trump, faced criticism after using the London attacks to argue for his travel ban and criticising the London mayor, Sadiq Khan.
A concert in Manchester on Sunday evening in support of those killed and injured in the attack on that city less than a fortnight ago, is going ahead.
Updated
at 5.51pm BST
5.42pm BST
17:42
Lisa O'Carroll
My colleague, Lisa O’Carroll, has pictures of what is believed to be a car owned by one of the suspected attackers.
Just to be clear - the car was not involved in the attack but is believed to be owned by one of the attackers.
Peugeot 1007 used by suspect in London Bridge terror attack. Neighbour says all sorts of strange cars in area recent pic.twitter.com/6zh45qA4Jc
5.34pm BST
17:34
David Lammy, the former Labour minister who is seeking re-election as MP for Tottenham, has accused Theresa May of using her speech this morning for campaigning purposes.
Campaigning clearly has not been stopped if the PM stands outside No 10 and announces a four point plan within hours of an attack. https://t.co/iv6oJcb9BI
And as campaigning has clearly not stopped: "enough is enough" is a very strange phrase for the person who was Home Secretary from 2010-2016
And Barry Sheerman, who is seeking re-election as Labour MP for Huddersfield, has accused May of allowing police cuts that endangered security when she was home secretary.
Media heads frantically lobbied by No10 spin doctors "Theresa May must look tough on terror today because she cut 10000 police officers"
Humble apology it appears that Theresa May cut police numbers by 20,000 according to a reliable source! No wonder she's talking tough now!
A catalogue of failure to ensure high security standards in her complacent reign as Home Secretary that is Theresa Mays record!
Updated
at 5.38pm BST
5.21pm BST5.21pm BST
17:2117:21
5.20pm BST5.20pm BST
17:2017:20
Nadia KhomamiNadia Khomami
The mother of one of the victims, 23 year-old Daniel O’Neill, who was stabbed in last night’s attack and is being treated in hospital, has told of her son’s experiences.“He just stepped outside the bar for a second and a man ran up to him and said ‘this is for my family, this is for Islam’, and stuck a knife straight in him. He’s got a 7 inch scar going from his belly round to his back,” Elizabeth O’Neill told reporters outside Kings College Hospital.“The man ran away, Daniel headed back into the pub, there was shots fired, everybody was told to lie down, and then they were told to go downstairs in the bar. At this stage Daniel’s friend had put a tourniquet on him and was holding pressure there, he was brought downstairs, parts of that he doesn’t remember, and then the police were there and brought him in their car to the hospital.”O’Neill said her son was able to talk but remained in shock. “”These people say they are doing this in the name of God which is an absolute joke. They are callous they are barbaric and they are absolute cowards. We will carry on as normal,” she said. The mother of one of the victims, 23 year-old Daniel O’Neill, who was stabbed in last night’s attack and is being treated in hospital, has told of her son’s experiences.
“He just stepped outside the bar for a second and a man ran up to him and said: ‘This is for my family, this is for Islam’, and stuck a knife straight in him. He’s got a seven-inch scar going from his belly round to his back,” Elizabeth O’Neill told reporters outside King’s College hospital.
“The man ran away, Daniel headed back into the pub, there was shots fired, everybody was told to lie down, and then they were told to go downstairs in the bar. At this stage Daniel’s friend had put a tourniquet on him and was holding pressure there, he was brought downstairs, parts of that he doesn’t remember, and then the police were there and brought him in their car to the hospital.”
O’Neill said her son was able to talk but remained in shock. “”These people say they are doing this in the name of God, which is an absolute joke. They are callous, they are barbaric and they are absolute cowards. We will carry on as normal,” she said.
Updated
at 5.24pm BST
5.08pm BST5.08pm BST
17:0817:08
Alice RossAlice Ross
As the immediate shock wears off, there are determined efforts in some quarters to express reconciliation and unity.As the immediate shock wears off, there are determined efforts in some quarters to express reconciliation and unity.
Representatives of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community are speaking to reporters on the cordon, as is the bishop of Southwark – the attack happened right on the doorstep of Southwark cathedral, which is still sealed off by the police.Representatives of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community are speaking to reporters on the cordon, as is the bishop of Southwark – the attack happened right on the doorstep of Southwark cathedral, which is still sealed off by the police.
Meanwhile signs with the hashtag #turntolove have been taped to bollards, alongside bouquets of flowers.Meanwhile signs with the hashtag #turntolove have been taped to bollards, alongside bouquets of flowers.
Farhad Ahmad, an Ahmadiyya imam, said: “I was completely shocked ... at the same time as an imam that’s read the Holy Qur’an, I felt a responsibility to reach out to people to say, this can’t divide us and that this is not representative of Islam.”Farhad Ahmad, an Ahmadiyya imam, said: “I was completely shocked ... at the same time as an imam that’s read the Holy Qur’an, I felt a responsibility to reach out to people to say, this can’t divide us and that this is not representative of Islam.”
He and colleagues came to Southwark because “it’s important that we chat to people because they have questions. We need to answer those questions and reassure people”.He and colleagues came to Southwark because “it’s important that we chat to people because they have questions. We need to answer those questions and reassure people”.
The Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, bishop of Southwark, said he had come to be “among my people” and his “heart goes out” to those whose lives were changed by the attacks.The Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, bishop of Southwark, said he had come to be “among my people” and his “heart goes out” to those whose lives were changed by the attacks.
“The faith leaders operate, each of them, within community networks,” he said.“The faith leaders operate, each of them, within community networks,” he said.
“It’s very important that all community networks mobilise so that people of goodwill stand together... this must not undermine the things we cherish most.”“It’s very important that all community networks mobilise so that people of goodwill stand together... this must not undermine the things we cherish most.”
He added: “The purpose of our great faiths is justice and peace and human concern for others, especially the vulnerable.”He added: “The purpose of our great faiths is justice and peace and human concern for others, especially the vulnerable.”
On Borough High St, Alice Cudmore of the Globe Church, a free church in a nearby office building, handed out Heroes chocolates to policemen and passers-by.On Borough High St, Alice Cudmore of the Globe Church, a free church in a nearby office building, handed out Heroes chocolates to policemen and passers-by.
Asked if the name of the chocolates was deliberate, she said: “There were Celebrations but we thought that wasn’t quite right. And the police are heroes.”Asked if the name of the chocolates was deliberate, she said: “There were Celebrations but we thought that wasn’t quite right. And the police are heroes.”
She continued: “We thought, let’s look after people, help people feel less scared.”She continued: “We thought, let’s look after people, help people feel less scared.”
The reaction has been “quite mixed”, she said.The reaction has been “quite mixed”, she said.
“I had a long chat with an atheist guy who was quite angry and that’s understandable. Lots of people can’t believe it’s happened.”“I had a long chat with an atheist guy who was quite angry and that’s understandable. Lots of people can’t believe it’s happened.”
Police officers have been on the receiving end of other small acts of kindness: the Guardian saw Sainsbury’s staff bringing them snacks and sandwiches, and Cudmore said Costa sent them coffees. “I’ve offered Muslims chocolate and they said: ‘I’m fasting but I’ll take one for later’,” she added. “It’s so important to chat.”Police officers have been on the receiving end of other small acts of kindness: the Guardian saw Sainsbury’s staff bringing them snacks and sandwiches, and Cudmore said Costa sent them coffees. “I’ve offered Muslims chocolate and they said: ‘I’m fasting but I’ll take one for later’,” she added. “It’s so important to chat.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.13pm BSTat 5.13pm BST
4.58pm BST4.58pm BST
16:5816:58
Google has put out a statement following the London Bridge attack saying it is committed to working with the government to ensure terrorists “do not have a voice online”. This is from ITV’s Carl Dinnen.Google has put out a statement following the London Bridge attack saying it is committed to working with the government to ensure terrorists “do not have a voice online”. This is from ITV’s Carl Dinnen.
Full statement from Google following the London Bridge attack and the Prime Minister's statement. pic.twitter.com/gxOWzlD6uXFull statement from Google following the London Bridge attack and the Prime Minister's statement. pic.twitter.com/gxOWzlD6uX
In her speech this morning Theresa May reaffirmed her commitment to getting international agreement on regulating cyberspace to stop the spread of extremism. (See 11.56am.)In her speech this morning Theresa May reaffirmed her commitment to getting international agreement on regulating cyberspace to stop the spread of extremism. (See 11.56am.)
But the Open Rights Group, which campaigns for internet freedom, has criticised May for wanting to force internet firms to allow access to the encrypted messages of terrorists. In a statement it said:But the Open Rights Group, which campaigns for internet freedom, has criticised May for wanting to force internet firms to allow access to the encrypted messages of terrorists. In a statement it said:
It is disappointing that in the aftermath of this attack, the government’s response appears to focus on the regulation of the internet and encryption.It is disappointing that in the aftermath of this attack, the government’s response appears to focus on the regulation of the internet and encryption.
This could be a very risky approach. If successful, Theresa May could push these vile networks into even darker corners of the web, where they will be even harder to observe.This could be a very risky approach. If successful, Theresa May could push these vile networks into even darker corners of the web, where they will be even harder to observe.
But we should not be distracted: the internet and companies like Facebook are not a cause of this hatred and violence, but tools that can be abused. While governments and companies should take sensible measures to stop abuse, attempts to control the internet is not the simple solution that Theresa May is claiming.But we should not be distracted: the internet and companies like Facebook are not a cause of this hatred and violence, but tools that can be abused. While governments and companies should take sensible measures to stop abuse, attempts to control the internet is not the simple solution that Theresa May is claiming.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.00pm BSTat 5.00pm BST
4.57pm BST4.57pm BST
16:5716:57
Flowers left for victims of London Bridge and Borough market attack pic.twitter.com/qAwo7w4nOZFlowers left for victims of London Bridge and Borough market attack pic.twitter.com/qAwo7w4nOZ
4.56pm BST4.56pm BST
16:5616:56
Some words of support from horror writer Stephen KingSome words of support from horror writer Stephen King
London lives. And thrives. And stands together. I love you guys. We all do.London lives. And thrives. And stands together. I love you guys. We all do.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.03pm BSTat 5.03pm BST
4.49pm BST
16:49
Lisa O'Carroll
Mathu, an employee in Sam’s Chicken Shop, said one of the “five or six” who were taken from the flat was Romanian or eastern European.
“He was about 22 or 23, he was a nice, quiet guy. He lived there with his brother and his girlfriend. They used to come in and order lunch, always ordered wings and chips.
“We suddenly hear something like a gunshot. A man rushed in and told us to stay in the shop.
“The shop was surrounded by police,” she said.
Mathu said the two men in the flat were definitely Romanian as they were regular customers and used to josh with him as his girlfriend, Janushan, 15, said there were also four black men who lived in the flat, one of whom he said was Somalian and wore “brown Islamic dress”.
Updated
at 4.54pm BST
4.47pm BST
16:47
Sarah Marsh
A Romanian chef who reportedly hit an attacker over the head with a crate and sheltered 20 people in his bakery has been hailed a hero.
The baker, who works at the Bread Ahead bakery in the market, told the Associated Press: “We were looking out of the window because we saw that everyone was agitated, everyone was running, people, women ... they were fainting, falling and we went outside to see what was happening.”
He said that he “froze” when he went outside and saw two people stabbing others. However, then he went and hit one of the attackers on the head with a crate. “There was a car with a loudspeaker saying ‘go, go’ and they [ the police] threw a grenade .... and then I ran.” He added that he also let 20 people into his bakery with the shutters down.
Shout out to the Romanian chef who sheltered 20 people... and then whacked one of the terrorists with a crate. https://t.co/DOFYFOxEdk pic.twitter.com/Prr5geZkPG
A Romanian chef sheltered 20 people in his bakery and hit one of the #LondonBridge attackers on the head with a crate. This is London.
Updated
at 4.50pm BST
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 Ramadhan.
The unnamed man is one of 12 people taken to the Royal London with serious injuries, the other 11 of whom sustained injuries from both the van careering across London Bridge and the stabbings that followed. Six of those 12 are receiving critical care.
Ramadhan’s statement contradicts reports in other media, at least one of which claimed that the man had died.
Updated
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4.43pm BST
16:43
Jamie Grierson
Rowley said the member of public who was shot by police did not suffer injuries that were “critical in nature”.
As the officers confronted the terrorist, a member of the 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.
Updated
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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
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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
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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