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London Bridge Shut Down After Pedestrians Struck; Stabbings Reported in Nearby Market London Bridge Shut Down After Pedestrians Struck; Stabbings Reported in Nearby Market
(35 minutes later)
LONDON — Attacks on civilians in two locations near the Thames River on Saturday night sent armed London police officers to each site.LONDON — Attacks on civilians in two locations near the Thames River on Saturday night sent armed London police officers to each site.
Theresa May, the British prime minister, said the authorities were treating the attacks “as a potential act of terrorism.” Theresa May, the British prime minister, said the authorities were treating the attacks “as a potential act of terrorism,” and the London police declared the attacks as “terrorist incidents” a short time later.
The authorities closed London Bridge after a white van mounted the sidewalk and mowed down pedestrians a little after 10 p.m., according to multiple witnesses on the bridge. Authorities closed London Bridge after a white van mounted the sidewalk and mowed down pedestrians a little after 10 p.m., according to multiple witnesses on the bridge.
The police said there were casualties there, with more than one person dead, and witnesses reported seeing one bearded man with a large knife. The police said there were casualties there, with more than one person dead, and witnesses reported seeing a bearded man with a large knife.
Soon after, there were reports of knife attacks at nearby Borough Market, a popular spot for pubs and restaurants on the southern side of the Thames. The police said that “armed officers responded and shots were fired.”Soon after, there were reports of knife attacks at nearby Borough Market, a popular spot for pubs and restaurants on the southern side of the Thames. The police said that “armed officers responded and shots were fired.”
The police advised people in each area to run to a place of safety, hide, silence their telephones and call the police when they could. Police advised people in each area to run to a place of safety, hide, silence their telephones and call the police when they could.
A third incident, at Vauxhall, which was also a stabbing, was not connected to London Bridge or Borough Market, the police said.
Downing Street announced that Mrs. May will chair a meeting of the government emergency response committee, known as Cobra, on Sunday.Downing Street announced that Mrs. May will chair a meeting of the government emergency response committee, known as Cobra, on Sunday.
Holly Jones, a BBC reporter who was on the bridge at the time of the incident, said the van was driven by a man and was “probably traveling at about 50 miles an hour.” She said that at least five people were being treated for injuries after the vehicle drove on the sidewalk and hit them.Holly Jones, a BBC reporter who was on the bridge at the time of the incident, said the van was driven by a man and was “probably traveling at about 50 miles an hour.” She said that at least five people were being treated for injuries after the vehicle drove on the sidewalk and hit them.
“He swerved right round me and then hit about five or six people,” Ms. Jones said. “He hit about two people in front of me and then three behind.”“He swerved right round me and then hit about five or six people,” Ms. Jones said. “He hit about two people in front of me and then three behind.”
Police and ambulance workers responded rapidly, evacuating pedestrians and shutting down the London Bridge subway station. Ms. Jones later said that she saw a man being arrested by the police.Police and ambulance workers responded rapidly, evacuating pedestrians and shutting down the London Bridge subway station. Ms. Jones later said that she saw a man being arrested by the police.
The police also sent armed officers to Borough Market, where witnesses reported stabbings.The police also sent armed officers to Borough Market, where witnesses reported stabbings.
A witness, who identified himself only as Andrew, said he was in the area at a bar, heard “a massive bang” and saw a van hitting a railing.A witness, who identified himself only as Andrew, said he was in the area at a bar, heard “a massive bang” and saw a van hitting a railing.
“Next 10 seconds later, there was a guy with a big knife, I mean, a big knife,” he told LBC Radio.“Next 10 seconds later, there was a guy with a big knife, I mean, a big knife,” he told LBC Radio.
Andrew jumped over a fence, got to a footpath and said there was “a dead guy lying on the floor.” He hid for a few seconds in bushes nearby, then, he said, “I ran for my life.”Andrew jumped over a fence, got to a footpath and said there was “a dead guy lying on the floor.” He hid for a few seconds in bushes nearby, then, he said, “I ran for my life.”
Mark Roberts, who said he was on London Bridge at the time, told CNN that the van was traveling south across the bridge toward the London Bridge station.Mark Roberts, who said he was on London Bridge at the time, told CNN that the van was traveling south across the bridge toward the London Bridge station.
The van was speeding and swerving, Mr. Roberts said.The van was speeding and swerving, Mr. Roberts said.
“I was just lucky it swerved across the other side,” he said. “It looked to me that the van was aiming for the people.”“I was just lucky it swerved across the other side,” he said. “It looked to me that the van was aiming for the people.”
Mr. Roberts said that the van hit several people on the bridge and that about 10 minutes later he heard what sounded like 10 to 20 gunshots.Mr. Roberts said that the van hit several people on the bridge and that about 10 minutes later he heard what sounded like 10 to 20 gunshots.
After the Manchester bombing on May 22, when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the end of a concert by Ariana Grande, killing 22 and wounding dozens, the threat level in Britain was raised to critical, indicating that a terrorist attack was highly likely. But the threat level was reduced to severe several days later.After the Manchester bombing on May 22, when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the end of a concert by Ariana Grande, killing 22 and wounding dozens, the threat level in Britain was raised to critical, indicating that a terrorist attack was highly likely. But the threat level was reduced to severe several days later.
On March 22 an attack on Westminster Bridge was treated by the police as “Islamist-related terrorism.” Khalid Masood, 52, drove a car into pedestrians, killing four people and injuring 50. He stabbed a police officer to death before being shot and killed near Parliament.On March 22 an attack on Westminster Bridge was treated by the police as “Islamist-related terrorism.” Khalid Masood, 52, drove a car into pedestrians, killing four people and injuring 50. He stabbed a police officer to death before being shot and killed near Parliament.