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London attack: one dead in 'potential terrorist attack' near Finsbury Park mosque, PM says – live London attack: one dead in 'potential terrorist attack' near Finsbury Park mosque, PM says – live
(35 minutes later)
7.56am BST
07:56
Witness heard driver saying 'I want to kill Muslims'
The driver of a white van that ploughed into pedestrians was pinned to the ground by onlookers after saying: “I want to kill Muslims,” a witness has said.
One 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 Buzz Feed 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
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 then turned left down an alleyway. He said most of the victims were young but an older man was among them.
Speaking to PA 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
7.23am BST
07:23
Images of the van
Images are emerging of the van believed to be involved in the incident.
7.19am BST7.19am BST
07:1907:19
Matthew WeaverMatthew Weaver
Ratip Alsulaimen said he saw up to 10 people being taken away in ambulances. Speaking to PA he said: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.“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.“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.“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.“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.“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.”“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/iR49oGC5ISWitness Ratip Alsulaimen told @Pa what he saw at #FinsburyPark pic.twitter.com/iR49oGC5IS
6.56am BST6.56am BST
06:5606:56
Morning summaryMorning 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”.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.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.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”.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.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.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.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.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 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.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.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 BST6.51am BST
06:5106:51
Police reiterate: no other suspects.Police reiterate: no other suspects.
Re #SevenSisters Rd #Finsburypark incident - At this early stage there are no other suspects, however the investigation continues.Re #SevenSisters Rd #Finsburypark incident - At this early stage there are no other suspects, however the investigation continues.
6.43am BST6.43am BST
06:4306:43
My colleague Martin Farrer, a former Finsbury Park local, has written about the neighbourhood.My colleague Martin Farrer, a former Finsbury Park local, has written about the neighbourhood.
The district has a rich history, not least in the former Rainbow theatre, which lies on the other side of the road from the Muslim Welfare House. This once legendary rock venue has hosted some of the greatest names in music such as The Who, Pink Floyd, David Bowie (on the Ziggy tour) and Bob Marley .The district has a rich history, not least in the former Rainbow theatre, which lies on the other side of the road from the Muslim Welfare House. This once legendary rock venue has hosted some of the greatest names in music such as The Who, Pink Floyd, David Bowie (on the Ziggy tour) and Bob Marley .
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
6.38am BST6.38am BST
06:3806:38
Reporter and local James Ball has some thoughts on Finsbury Park itself.Reporter and local James Ball has some thoughts on Finsbury Park itself.
Last thoughts before sleep: Finsbury Park is a genuinely diverse area. Nightclubs and mosques sit within yards of each other.Last thoughts before sleep: Finsbury Park is a genuinely diverse area. Nightclubs and mosques sit within yards of each other.
I live minutes away from where the attack happens. It's generally a safe, nice, place to live. Don't let others tell you otherwise.I live minutes away from where the attack happens. It's generally a safe, nice, place to live. Don't let others tell you otherwise.
(This is a bid to get in before idiots talk about no-go areas or anything like that.)(This is a bid to get in before idiots talk about no-go areas or anything like that.)
6.24am BST6.24am BST
06:2406:24
Imam 'protected van driver until police arrived'Imam 'protected van driver until police arrived'
Witnesses have told Sky News that an imam from the mosque protected the driver of the van from angry members of the public until the police could arrive.Witnesses have told Sky News that an imam from the mosque protected the driver of the van from angry members of the public until the police could arrive.
That account seems to chime with the statement from the Muslim Welfare House that thanks imam Mohammed Mahmoud “whose bravery and courage helped calm the immediate situation after the incident and prevented further injury and loss of life”.That account seems to chime with the statement from the Muslim Welfare House that thanks imam Mohammed Mahmoud “whose bravery and courage helped calm the immediate situation after the incident and prevented further injury and loss of life”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.34am BSTat 6.34am BST
6.17am BST6.17am BST
06:1706:17
Muslim Welfare House calls for calmMuslim Welfare House calls for calm
The attack took place outside the Muslim Welfare House on Seven Sisters Road. The Islamic centre and mosque has released a statement, appealing for calm.The attack took place outside the Muslim Welfare House on Seven Sisters Road. The Islamic centre and mosque has released a statement, appealing for calm.
“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 drive our wonderful community apart,” it reads.“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 drive our wonderful community apart,” it reads.
I'm live from 6am at #FinsburyPark for @GMB as one man dies, many injured, as van drives into crowd of Muslims by 'a potential terrorist' pic.twitter.com/kGTaY3h1GbI'm live from 6am at #FinsburyPark for @GMB as one man dies, many injured, as van drives into crowd of Muslims by 'a potential terrorist' pic.twitter.com/kGTaY3h1Gb
6.11am BST6.11am BST
06:1106:11
Witness: van was travelling at 50mphWitness: van was travelling at 50mph
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
Witnesses said the van mounted the pavement and mowed people down deliberately, travelling at 50mph. Boubou Sougou, 23, said: “It was deliberate, it was not an accident.”Witnesses said the van mounted the pavement and mowed people down deliberately, travelling at 50mph. Boubou Sougou, 23, said: “It was deliberate, it was not an accident.”
6.00am BST6.00am BST
06:0006:00
The New York Police Department has deployed officers to mosques in New York following the attack in Finsbury Park.The New York Police Department has deployed officers to mosques in New York following the attack in Finsbury Park.
NYPD announces they will send officers to mosques in NYC area after tonight's incident in North London's #FinsburyPark. pic.twitter.com/ZKmmlaQkxONYPD announces they will send officers to mosques in NYC area after tonight's incident in North London's #FinsburyPark. pic.twitter.com/ZKmmlaQkxO
5.55am BST5.55am BST
05:5505:55
Diane Abbott calls for review of mosque securityDiane Abbott calls for review of mosque security
Terror attack outside #FinsburyPark mosque. Police must urgently review security for all mosques #StandTogetherTerror attack outside #FinsburyPark mosque. Police must urgently review security for all mosques #StandTogether
5.50am BST5.50am BST
05:5005:50
Amber Rudd: 'We must all continue to stand together'Amber Rudd: 'We must all continue to stand together'
Home secretary Amber Rudd has given the following statement in reaction to the attack at Finsbury Park.Home secretary Amber Rudd has given the following statement in reaction to the attack at Finsbury Park.
My thoughts are with all those affected by the appalling incident at Finsbury Park. I am in contact with the Metropolitan Police who have confirmed it is being investigated by their Counter Terrorism Command. Yesterday, like so many others around the country, I took part in the Great Get Together to celebrate the values of Jo Cox. It was powerful and moving to see the community come together in a show of solidarity. We must all continue to stand together, resolute, against all those who try to divide us and spread hate and fear.”My thoughts are with all those affected by the appalling incident at Finsbury Park. I am in contact with the Metropolitan Police who have confirmed it is being investigated by their Counter Terrorism Command. Yesterday, like so many others around the country, I took part in the Great Get Together to celebrate the values of Jo Cox. It was powerful and moving to see the community come together in a show of solidarity. We must all continue to stand together, resolute, against all those who try to divide us and spread hate and fear.”
5.46am BST5.46am BST
05:4605:46
Sadiq Khan condemns 'horrific terrorist attack'Sadiq Khan condemns 'horrific terrorist attack'
The mayor of London has released a statement on Facebook, saying the attack was deliberate and targeted “innocent Londoners, many of whom were finishing prayers during the holy month of Ramadan”.The mayor of London has released a statement on Facebook, saying the attack was deliberate and targeted “innocent Londoners, many of whom were finishing prayers during the holy month of Ramadan”.
“While this appears to be an attack on a particular community, like the terrible attacks in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge it is also an assault on all our shared values of tolerance, freedom and respect,” he said.“While this appears to be an attack on a particular community, like the terrible attacks in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge it is also an assault on all our shared values of tolerance, freedom and respect,” he said.
5.35am BST5.35am BST
05:3505:35
At least two witnesses told Sky News that there were three men in the van, but the Met Police statement seems to directly contradict that, saying no other suspects had been identified or reported to police.At least two witnesses told Sky News that there were three men in the van, but the Met Police statement seems to directly contradict that, saying no other suspects had been identified or reported to police.