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Finsbury Park terror attack: one dead near north London mosque – latest updates Finsbury Park terror attack: one dead near north London mosque – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
9.38am BST
09:38
Rachel Obordo
If you’ve been affected by the incident and would like to share eyewitness accounts or news tips, anonymously if you prefer, with our journalists then please do so via the form here. The form is encrypted and your responses are only seen by the Guardian. You can also contact the Guardian via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056.
9.37am BST
09:37
A London Underground worker wrote this quote of the day on the service information board at Finsbury Park station: “Tough times don’t last. Tough people do stick together. All of us”.
My local tube worker Finsbury Park pic.twitter.com/oDRRHQr7J1
9.32am BST
09:32
Vikram Dodd
The suspected attack came during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when several worshippers had gathered in Finsbury Park area which is home to two mosques.
Among Britain’s Muslim communities there have been fears that they are targeted for Islamophobic hate crimes and that the authorities do not take such incidents seriously enough.
A spike in hate crimes was reported after the London Bridge attack, just over a fortnight ago. Security officials and senior police officers are in private, acutely aware of the need to protect Muslim communities from any “backlash”.
Extremists on the far right and those following an extremist Islamist ideology want to drive a wedge between British Muslims and other communities.
9.26am BST
09:26
Corbyn to attend prayers at Finsbury Park mosque
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is also the MP for the area, said he will be attending prayers at the Finsbury Park mosque later today.
In a statement he said:
I am shocked by this horrific and cruel attack in Finsbury Park, which is being treated as an act of terror.
I offer my condolences to the family and friends of the man who has died, and our thoughts are with the people who have been injured, their family and friends.
As the local MP, I have met with Muslim community leaders at the Muslim Welfare House alongside Islington council leader Richard Watts, the council’s chief executive Lesley Seary and the Metropolitan police.
Richard and I will attend prayers at Finsbury Park mosque later today.
I appeal for people and the media to remain calm and respectful of those affected.
In the meantime, I call on everyone to stand together against those who seek to divide us.
Here’s roundup of other political reaction:
Updated
at 9.36am BST
9.21am BST
09:21
Harriet Sherwood
The Muslim Association of Britain “unreservedly condemns this evil terror attack” and has called on the police to increase security in mosques.In a statement, it said: “We call on politicians to treat this major incident no less than a terrorist attack. We call on the government to do more to tackle this hateful evil ideology which has spread over these past years and resulted in an increase of Islamophobic attacks and division of our society, as well as spreading of hate.”Dr Omer El-Hamdoon, the association’s president, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this evil attack. I call on all Muslims to be extra vigilant following these hateful Islamophobic attacks, and to be cautious.”
Updated
at 9.37am BST
9.17am BST
09:17
Harriet Sherwood
Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the appalling incident at Finsbury Park.”
“Worryingly vehicles in London have once again become the latest weapon in the hands of terrorists. Unfortunately this means every innocent pedestrian going about their daily lives has become a target. “The incidents in the last three months suggest there needs to be an honest dialogue and a fundamental shift in the way government tackles all forms of hate and terror. “Hate and terror must be stamped out by directly confronting all those who promote an ideology and philosophy based on hate and terror.
“Sikh teachings, history and the Sikh way of life offers not only hope, but direction on how to tackle hate and terror. Those making policies in governments across the globe need to draw upon belief systems and thinking designed to deal with hate and terror head on.”
The European Jewish Congress also expressed shock and condemnation.
“This is an unconscionable attack on Muslim worshippers during their holy month of Ramadan,” EJC President Moshe Kantor said. “We condemn this attack and its attempt to escalate tensions in the UK and we stand firmly besides our Muslim brothers and sisters in the aftermath of this attack.”
“An attack on one religion is an attack on all religions and all people and faiths must stand together against terror.”
9.13am BST
09:13
Harriet Sherwood
Mohammed Kozbar, the chairman of the nearby Finsbury Park mosque, said: “This is a shocking new terrorist attack - and we have to call it that. It’s no different to Manchester, Westminster or London Bridge. Innocent people have lost their lives while just going about their business. Innocent people are being killed in cold blood.”Kozbar called for action by the government and police to protect mosques, and said the his own mosque would be tightening security. “We need to show the community they are safe and protected.”Ramadan - due to end at the weekend, with the festival of Eid al-Fitr expected to begin on Sunday - was always a busy time for mosques, with people coming and going to pray all night, he added.“Finsbury Park is a diverse community, living together in harmony. The person who did this wants to spread hatred and fear. We will not let them succeed. We will all come together to support the people affected. Our thoughts and prayers are will the victims - we will comfort them and stand with them.”Finsbury Park mosque was associated with the radical cleric Abu Hamza until 2005, when it was taken over by new management. Now it is seen as a model of community relations.
Updated
at 9.37am BST
9.10am BST
09:10
Steven Morris
The van involved is marked with the livery of Pontyclun Van Hire, which is based on an industrial estate close to the M4 12 miles west of Cardiff.
A woman who answered the phone at the hire company’s offices said: “We’re not allowed to make any comment. You’ll have to try back later.”
With its headquarters on the East Side Cambrian Industrial Estate, the company has been established for 25 years. Its website says it provides “quality vans, trucks and other vehicles for hire in the south Wales area.”
9.08am BST
09:08
Alice Ross
Yousif al Khoei, director of the Al Khoei Islamic Foundation, said he came to Finsbury Park in the early hours of the morning along with rabbis as part of a multi-faith response effort.
“We are quite concerned that a state of frustration, anger and rise of extremism ... is quite detrimental to the peaceful existence people normally have in the UK, in London,” he said. “We have been worrying as faith community leaders. We have to ensure London remains peaceful, these extremists are isolated (and) we do not allow racism and islamophobia and antisemitism to take hold and we cannot allow these extremists to divide us.”
He works with police and other faith leaders to try and ease such tensions, he added. “We make sure both the community and the police are aware of the concerns of each other,” he said.
9.06am BST9.06am BST
09:0609:06
Damien GayleDamien Gayle
Hassan Yassin, 28, from Enfield, was one of many who have come down to see what was happening in the aftermath of the attack. He said he feared it would only fuel extremism.Hassan Yassin, 28, from Enfield, was one of many who have come down to see what was happening in the aftermath of the attack. He said he feared it would only fuel extremism.
“This will only fuel Muslim extremists to carry out more attacks. They will use that as a justification to carry out more attacks. Both [Muslim and non-Muslim communities need to work together.”“This will only fuel Muslim extremists to carry out more attacks. They will use that as a justification to carry out more attacks. Both [Muslim and non-Muslim communities need to work together.”
Yassin said it was up to the mosques to debate those with radical views to persuade them that they were wrong.Yassin said it was up to the mosques to debate those with radical views to persuade them that they were wrong.
“Maybe a mosque will talk about this issue once a month - it’s not enough. You can’t deport an ideology; you can’t imprison an ideology; if you deport 3,000 suspects there will be another 3,000 on the streets tomorrow.”“Maybe a mosque will talk about this issue once a month - it’s not enough. You can’t deport an ideology; you can’t imprison an ideology; if you deport 3,000 suspects there will be another 3,000 on the streets tomorrow.”
However, Yassin also said that work needed to be done to counter extremism in non-Muslim communities, where violent Islamophobia is increasingly taking hold.However, Yassin also said that work needed to be done to counter extremism in non-Muslim communities, where violent Islamophobia is increasingly taking hold.
“There is an agenda from the rightwing media, I’m talking about people like Tommy Robinson and Britain First,” he said. “They go to the scene of an attack and say this is about Islam. Why is that not radicalisation? When you tell white men that this is Islam, that in its definition is radicalisation. You are telling people to hate us, to go overboard and to attack us. It’s extremism on both ends.”“There is an agenda from the rightwing media, I’m talking about people like Tommy Robinson and Britain First,” he said. “They go to the scene of an attack and say this is about Islam. Why is that not radicalisation? When you tell white men that this is Islam, that in its definition is radicalisation. You are telling people to hate us, to go overboard and to attack us. It’s extremism on both ends.”
9.04am BST9.04am BST
09:0409:04
Mobile phone footage taken by Mohammed Abdullah shows the man suspected of carrying out the attack being detained by police and onlookers against a police van.Mobile phone footage taken by Mohammed Abdullah shows the man suspected of carrying out the attack being detained by police and onlookers against a police van.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.05am BSTat 9.05am BST
9.03am BST9.03am BST
09:0309:03
Here are the main points from Dep Asst Comm Neil Basu’s press conference.Here are the main points from Dep Asst Comm Neil Basu’s press conference.
Man was not necessarily killed by attacker Dead man was not necessarily killed by attacker
The attack unfolded whilst the man was already receiving first aid from public at the scene. And sadly that man has died. Any causative link between his death and the attack will form part of our investigation. It is too early to state if his death was as a result of this attack.The attack unfolded whilst the man was already receiving first aid from public at the scene. And sadly that man has died. Any causative link between his death and the attack will form part of our investigation. It is too early to state if his death was as a result of this attack.
Suspected terrorist attack Police are treating the attack as terror-related
No matter what the motivation for this attack proves to be we are keeping an open mind. This is being treated as a terrorist attack and the counter-terrorism command is investigating. This was an attack on London and all Londonders and we should all stand together against extremists whatever their cause.No matter what the motivation for this attack proves to be we are keeping an open mind. This is being treated as a terrorist attack and the counter-terrorism command is investigating. This was an attack on London and all Londonders and we should all stand together against extremists whatever their cause.
Given the methodology and given what was occurring and what’s happened across the country this had all the hallmarks of a terrorist incident.Given the methodology and given what was occurring and what’s happened across the country this had all the hallmarks of a terrorist incident.
Victims all from Muslim community Victims were all Muslims
One man was pronounced dead at the scene. Eight others are in hospital and two more were treated at the scene. All the victims were from the Muslim community.One man was pronounced dead at the scene. Eight others are in hospital and two more were treated at the scene. All the victims were from the Muslim community.
I do know at least two [of the injured] are very serious.I do know at least two [of the injured] are very serious.
Suspect acted aloneSuspect acted alone
Also at the scene, detained by members of that community, was the man suspected of being the driver during this attack. He has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.Also at the scene, detained by members of that community, was the man suspected of being the driver during this attack. He has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
[Interrogating the suspect has] not happened yet. That will obviously be a priority in the investigation. As soon as he is our custody and has been through our formal custody procedures he will be being interviewed.[Interrogating the suspect has] not happened yet. That will obviously be a priority in the investigation. As soon as he is our custody and has been through our formal custody procedures he will be being interviewed.
At this early stage of the investigation no other suspect have been identified or reported to police and there were no reports any people having suffered any knife injuries.At this early stage of the investigation no other suspect have been identified or reported to police and there were no reports any people having suffered any knife injuries.
There was nobody else in the van and it appears at this time that this attacker attacked alone. That is not to say that we are not investigating the full circumstances of how he can be where he was.There was nobody else in the van and it appears at this time that this attacker attacked alone. That is not to say that we are not investigating the full circumstances of how he can be where he was.
Police were on the scene as it unfoldedPolice were on the scene as it unfolded
From 12.21am police received a number of calls to Seven Sisters Road following a van having collided with pedestrians. Officers were in the immediate vicinity at the time, actually as the attack unfolded and they responded instantly. Additional officers were on scene within 10 minutes.From 12.21am police received a number of calls to Seven Sisters Road following a van having collided with pedestrians. Officers were in the immediate vicinity at the time, actually as the attack unfolded and they responded instantly. Additional officers were on scene within 10 minutes.
Public restraint praisedPublic restraint praised
I would like to praise the police officers who immediately response who gave life saving treatment at the scene. But also very much those members of the public who assisted before and after this incident. I would like to praise the police officers who immediately response who gave life-saving treatment at the scene. But also very much those members of the public who assisted before and after this incident.
I would like to thank those people who helped police in detaining the man and worked with officers to calmly and quickly get him into our custody. There restraint in the circumstances is commendable.I would like to thank those people who helped police in detaining the man and worked with officers to calmly and quickly get him into our custody. There restraint in the circumstances is commendable.
He was very quickly and calmly given over to the police and put into custody. I think that was commendable by members of the community who must have been incredibly shaken, incredibly scared and incredibly angry. What it proves to me is that Londoners will act together to protect themselves, but they do so in a way that doesn’t feed into terrorist and extremist hands.He was very quickly and calmly given over to the police and put into custody. I think that was commendable by members of the community who must have been incredibly shaken, incredibly scared and incredibly angry. What it proves to me is that Londoners will act together to protect themselves, but they do so in a way that doesn’t feed into terrorist and extremist hands.
The Van The van was not booby-trapped
The van used has been examined by specialist officers, but nothing that would cause a risk to the public was found within it.The van used has been examined by specialist officers, but nothing that would cause a risk to the public was found within it.
Extra police Extra police have been deployed across London
Extra policing resources have been deployed across London in order to reassure communities, especially those of observing Ramadan at this very sensitive time. I would urge everyone to remain calm and vigilant. I ask the public with any information about this incident or anything that causes them concern or suspicion to call the police on 0800 789 321.Extra policing resources have been deployed across London in order to reassure communities, especially those of observing Ramadan at this very sensitive time. I would urge everyone to remain calm and vigilant. I ask the public with any information about this incident or anything that causes them concern or suspicion to call the police on 0800 789 321.
This has been an incredibly challenging time for London and the emergency services are stretched. Nevertheless we will all do absolutely everything we can, with our partners, to protect London and our city.This has been an incredibly challenging time for London and the emergency services are stretched. Nevertheless we will all do absolutely everything we can, with our partners, to protect London and our city.
Now is the time for London to stand together to face those who seek to divide us.Now is the time for London to stand together to face those who seek to divide us.
Updated
at 9.09am BST
8.28am BST8.28am BST
08:2808:28
“There was no one else in the van,” Basu says.“There was no one else in the van,” Basu says.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.29am BSTat 8.29am BST
8.27am BST8.27am BST
08:2708:27
Basu says the attack comes at a “challenging” time and the emergency services are stretched. He praises the way the community tackled the suspected attacker.Basu says the attack comes at a “challenging” time and the emergency services are stretched. He praises the way the community tackled the suspected attacker.
The incident had all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack, Basu says.The incident had all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack, Basu says.
8.25am BST8.25am BST
08:2508:25
Driver arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, Scotland Yard saysDriver arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, Scotland Yard says
Dep Asst Comm Neil Basu of the Metropolitan police, who is senior national co-ordinator for counter-terrorism policing, is giving a statement.Dep Asst Comm Neil Basu of the Metropolitan police, who is senior national co-ordinator for counter-terrorism policing, is giving a statement.
He says it is too early to tell whether the man who died at the scene was killed in the attack. Eight others were taken to hospital. Two were treated at the scene. All of the victims were Muslim.He says it is too early to tell whether the man who died at the scene was killed in the attack. Eight others were taken to hospital. Two were treated at the scene. All of the victims were Muslim.
The driver of the van has been arrested on suspicion of murder, Basu said.The driver of the van has been arrested on suspicion of murder, Basu said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.41am BSTat 8.41am BST
8.20am BST8.20am BST
08:2008:20
Alice RossAlice Ross
The streets around the junction of Fonthill Road and Seven Sisters Road are sealed off by a police cordon, and there is a heavy media presence.The streets around the junction of Fonthill Road and Seven Sisters Road are sealed off by a police cordon, and there is a heavy media presence.
Abdikadir Warfa, who was just around the corner and witnessed the immediate aftermath of the attack, said the vehicle used to plough through people near the Muslim Welfare House, said it appeared a white lorry with yellow markings was used. “I think it was rented,” he said.Abdikadir Warfa, who was just around the corner and witnessed the immediate aftermath of the attack, said the vehicle used to plough through people near the Muslim Welfare House, said it appeared a white lorry with yellow markings was used. “I think it was rented,” he said.
“Everyone was lying on the street shouting, crying ‘help me’. I saw a man trying to run and everyone was trying to stop him,” he added. Four or five men were restraining him. “He was shouting something but I couldn’t hear.”“Everyone was lying on the street shouting, crying ‘help me’. I saw a man trying to run and everyone was trying to stop him,” he added. Four or five men were restraining him. “He was shouting something but I couldn’t hear.”
Several people pointed out that had the collision taken place minutes earlier it would have caused even more harm, as people were already dispersing after prayers.Several people pointed out that had the collision taken place minutes earlier it would have caused even more harm, as people were already dispersing after prayers.
A 22-year-old man, who asked not to be named, said he heard tyres screaming and saw the lorry “stuck on the barriers” where it had apparently swerved towards people. “People started screaming, saying we need help, call police, call an ambulance.”A 22-year-old man, who asked not to be named, said he heard tyres screaming and saw the lorry “stuck on the barriers” where it had apparently swerved towards people. “People started screaming, saying we need help, call police, call an ambulance.”
He saw people lying on the pavement. “Their families were crying. A lady was crying and saying, my brother, my brother, he can’t breathe.”He saw people lying on the pavement. “Their families were crying. A lady was crying and saying, my brother, my brother, he can’t breathe.”
People flagged down a police van that was passing along Seven Sisters Road and the eyewitness described how people handed over the suspected attacker. He showed videos filmed by his friends showing injured people lying in the street, one receiving CPR, and the suspect, a tall white man with dark hair wearing a black T-shirt, being put into the police van.People flagged down a police van that was passing along Seven Sisters Road and the eyewitness described how people handed over the suspected attacker. He showed videos filmed by his friends showing injured people lying in the street, one receiving CPR, and the suspect, a tall white man with dark hair wearing a black T-shirt, being put into the police van.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.22am BSTat 8.22am BST
8.16am BST
08:16
Harriet Sherwood
Tell MAMA, a group that monitors hate crime against Muslims, was at the Muslim Welfare House in Finsbury Park on Friday, informing the congregation about the need to report anti-Muslim hatred and offering advice on safety during Ramadan.
Members of the congregation in the two mosques in the area are mainly from north and west Africa. The mosque has previously been targeted for anti-Muslim hate and has had white powder sent to it, causing security concerns.
Tell MAMA staff also informed members of the local congregation about the need to maintain vigilance during Ramadan when many Muslims wear clothing which identifies them as Muslims. Speaking about the safety of mosques, the Director of Tell MAMA, Iman Atta, said:
We have put out numerous safety leaflets to mosques to ensure vigilance so that congregations are safe. Ramadan is a time when Muslims are more visible and when there are larger congregations who attend late at night to pray after opening their fasts. Mosque safety needs to be stepped up and this includes entry and exit points.
Updated
at 8.38am BST
8.12am BST
08:12
Londoners are 'nothing short of heroic', says Rudd
The home secretary, Amber Rudd, has defended the time it took for the authorities to declare this as a terrorist incident.
Speaking to Sky News, she said: “We know that the police were on hand immediately. We know that they have treated it immediately as a suspected terrorist event. That is the normal procedure and we will see whether they confirm that later this morning.”
She also paid tribute to the way Londoners had reacted to a series of recent incidents:
Unfortunately we have again woken up to another terrible incident in London where a man has taken hold of a van and driven it into a group of innocent people in Finsbury Park. There is one fatal fatality that we know about and a number of casualties and the police are treating it as terrorist incident. Londoners have been hit with a series of attacks and have actually been nothing short of heroic.
Rudd insisted that funds were available to help secure mosques.
We will always make sure that everybody is protected. We have a places of worship fund which is there to protect places of worship like mosques and we will make sure that we do all we can to reduce these sort of attacks. We have made available £2.5m last summer, I recently announced who would be getting those additional funds, which included 12 mosques and I have reopened it recently to make sure that any additional place of worship that feels the need can apply for extra security.
Asked whether the emergency services would be given extra funds, Rudd said:
When we speak to emergency services during these series of attacks, we always ask them what additional support they. Actually they have generally confirmed to us that they do have sufficient resources because there is a kind of mutual aid that works of people supporting each other. It is working, but of course we will always keep it under review to ensure that our emergency services have all the support they need.
Updated
at 8.17am BST
7.56am BST
07:56
Witness heard driver saying 'I want to kill Muslims'
The driver of the white van that ploughed into pedestrians was pinned to the ground by onlookers after saying: “I want to kill Muslims,” a witness has said.
The witness, who wanted to be identified as Abdulrahman, which is not his real name, said he and his friends had stopped to help an elderly man who was lying on the floor at around 12.20am on Monday.
“In seconds this terrible thing happened,”’ he told the Press Association. “Literally within a minute, a van with speed turned to where we were and ran over the man who was laying on the floor and the people around him, around eight people or 10 people got injured, some of them seriously. Thank God I’m safe, but my friends got injured.”
The van driver was detained by members of the public after the attack in Seven Sisters Road.
Abdulrahman said:
I managed to get the driver of the van when he came out of his van. He wanted to run away and was saying, ‘I want to kill Muslims’. So he came back to the main road and I managed to get him to the ground and me and some other guys managed to hold him until the police arrived, for about 20 minutes I think, until the police arrived.
People were very upset, people were shouting, people were saying, ‘where’s the police, where’s the ambulance?’ People were saying, ‘keep him on the ground’, people were asking questions, saying ‘why did you do this?’ People were laying down on the floor.”
Abdulrahman claimed the driver said “kill me”, as he was holding his head on the ground.
He added: “I said, ‘tell me why did you try driving to kill innocent people?’ When he went into the [police] van he made gestures, he was laughing. He deliberately did this. He caused this incident.”
Abdulrahman said he believed the old man, who had been lying on the ground before the attack, had passed away, while some of his friends remain in hospital.
Earlier an eyewitness told BuzzFeed that driver shouted “I want to kill all Muslims.”
Eyewitness tells @jamesrbuk man drove van at pedestrians outside London mosque, then shouted “Kill me, kill me, I want to kill all Muslims” pic.twitter.com/gSgTX05aSQ
Updated
at 8.17am BST
7.41am BST
07:41
Pro-Islamic State channels are using reports of the incident in Finsbury Park to incite Muslims, according to groups which monitor jihadists.
One pro-Isis post said “Oh Muslims you need to wake up the war starting on your own streets”. It also questioned why the police didn’t shoot dead the attacker.
UPDATE Example of posts re Finsbury Park incident on pro-Islamic State Telegram channels following suggestions the driver is not a Muslim pic.twitter.com/oSBJ5T8Otl
Pro-#ISIS Telegram Channels Use Reported Van Attack Outside #Finsbury Mosque to Incite Muslims https://t.co/0VAuvGVd2A
7.39am BST
07:39
Muslim Welfare House appeals for calm
The Muslim Welfare House on Seven Sisters Road, which appeared to be targeted in the attack, has appealed for calm.
In a messages forwarded by Miqdaad Versi, assistant general secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain, it said:
“We have worked very hard over decades to build a peaceful and tolerant community here in Finsbury Park and we totally condemn any act of hate that tries to driver our wonderful community apart. We would appeal for calm at this time ... All of our efforts should be towards getting justice for the victims and ensuring our community stays the diverse, tolerant and welcome place we know it to be.”
Statement by @Mwh_London on the terror attack on Muslim worshippers in the #FinsburyPark area outside Muslim Welfare House pic.twitter.com/vjkjHDRw1a
7.29am BST
07:29
Witness Abdikadar Warfa said the van was driving at high speed down Seven Sisters Road and turned left down an alley. He said most of the victims were young, but an older man was among them.
Speaking to the Press Association, he said:
I saw a man underneath the van. He was bleeding. My friend said he had to lift the van. I was busy with a man who tried to escape. My friend said he said some words, but I didn’t hear it.
They [people who were hit] were mostly young. They are very bad. I tried to stop him [the suspect], some people were hitting him but I said stop him and keep him until the police came.
He was trying to run away but people overpowered him. He was fighting to run away.
Witness Abdikadar Warfa told @PA people tending to a man who had collapsed were struck by a van #FinsburyPark pic.twitter.com/k51KRBkNKx
Updated
at 8.19am BST
7.23am BST
07:23
Images of the van
Images are emerging of the van believed to be involved in the incident.
7.19am BST
07:19
Matthew Weaver
Ratip Alsulaimen said he saw up to 10 people being taken away in ambulances. Speaking to PA he said:
“I was sitting in the coffee shop just a couple of minutes away.
“One of our friends was reporting what was going on in the front of the mosque.
“He said the car was smashing into the people getting out of the mosque, so we just ran away, all of us, and came to see what’s happening.
“When I came I saw ambulance people taking people to the ambulance. I think between eight to 10 people were taken away.
“There was an old man - about 60 years old - I don’t know if he’s alive or dead. There were other people, mid-30 to 40. There are men and women.
“We are shocked when we heard the news because we were just having a good time. We were praying for peace and for Grenfell Tower. When we heard this we were actually shocked.”
Witness Ratip Alsulaimen told @Pa what he saw at #FinsburyPark pic.twitter.com/iR49oGC5IS
6.56am BST
06:56
Morning summary
A van has driven into a crowd of worshippers after they left a mosque in north London, killing one man and injuring eight other people in what police described as a “major incident”.
The counter-terrorism unit is investigating the crime, which took place on a street crowded by worshippers following Ramadan prayers.
Prime minister Theresa May said police were treating the incident in Finsbury Park “as a potential terrorist attack”. She said she would chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee the later on Monday morning.
Jeremy Corbyn, whose constituency includes Finsbury Park, has said he was “totally shocked”.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has condemned the incident as a “horrific terrorist attack” on “innocent Londoners” and said police have been deployed extra police to reassure communities, especially those observing Ramadan.
London ambulance service said the eight injured were taken to three hospitals, and an unknown number of others were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The van driver – a 48-year-old man – was arrested at the scene by the police after being detained by passersby. He has been taken to hospital as a precaution and will also undergo a mental health assessment.
Police said they first responded to reports of a traffic collision at about 12.20am on Monday.
The white van hit people outside the Muslim Welfare House on Seven Sisters Road. Two witnesses reported seeing three people leave the van, however, police said no other suspects have been identified or reported to police.
The Muslim Council of Great Britain said the attack was ‘motivated by Islamophobia’. The Muslim Welfare House has called for calm.
Diane Abbott, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, which borders Finsbury Park, has called for a review of security for all mosques.
6.51am BST
06:51
Police reiterate: no other suspects.
Re #SevenSisters Rd #Finsburypark incident - At this early stage there are no other suspects, however the investigation continues.