Police officers and members of the emergency services attend to a person injured in an apparent terror attack on London Bridge in central London on June 3, 2017. (Getty)
A van drove into pedestrians on London Bridge and a group of terrorists stabbed people in Borough Market in the heart of England on June 3.
The prime minister said was being treated as a likely terrorist attack.
The coordinated attacks killed at least seven people and injured up to 20, although casualty counts were still not definitive. Photos and videos emerged from the scene that showed what is believed to be one of a gang of five terrorists as well as police urging bar patrons to leave the scene.
People were paraded down the street with their hands in the air.
The BBC published a photo of a man believed to be an attacker on the ground with canisters attached to his body. Hospitals were on lock down and armed police were guarding a hotel where the wounded were brought, BBC reported.
The photo originated from the Instagram account of a man named Gabriele Sciotto.
Sciotto also posted photos of people running away from the scene.
According to CNN, bodies were left “lying in the roadway.”
“A van reportedly swerved off the road on London Bridge and in the popular food market in south London, witnesses said they saw a man with a large blade,” UK Telegraph reported.
Members of the emergency services attend to persons injured in an apparent terror attack on London Bridge (Getty)
According to USA Today, “On London Bridge, witnesses described seeing a white van mounting the sidewalk and injuring at least six people at about 10:30 p.m.”
Witnesses described the scene:
According to the Sun, there may also have been a third attack in the Vauxhall area of London.
(Getty)
There were reports that armed police were checking people in the London Bridge area:
People were asked by police to march down the street with their hands up.
At roughly the same time, there was a knife attack in London’s Borough Market. The Sun reported that three men with “hunting knives” jumped out of vehicles and starting stabbing people. According to the Sun, what are being considered terror attacks involved a “gang” of five suspects and left up to seven people dead and 20 injured.
USA Today reported that “Borough Market is an area that houses many food stalls and pubs and is popular with tourists.” There were also reports of a possible third attack, but this was not yet confirmed.
The gang of terrorists attacked a pub at the London Bridge area and tried to smash their way inside, reported the Sun.
Police officers clear the area near Borough market at London Bridge on June 3, 2017 in London, England. Police have responded to reports of a van hitting pedestrians on London Bridge in central London. (Getty)
The specter of twin terror attacks comes as England reels from the terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. ISIS claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Manchester.
A police officer escorts members of the public to safety at London Bridge on June 3, 2017 in London, England. Police have responded to reports of a van hitting pedestrians on London Bridge in central London. (Getty)
The modus operandi of a vehicle ramming into pedestrians has become an all too familiar part of the terrorists’ lexicon. Using a vehicle as a weapon is a method used in Nice France; in the Berlin, Germany Christmas market attack; in the Westminster bridge attack at UK Parliament, and now on London Bridge.
Police officers clear the area near Borough market at London Bridge on June 3, 2017 in London, England. Police have responded to reports of a van hitting pedestrians on London Bridge in central London. (Getty)
President Donald Trump tweeted his support the UK, writing, “Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U. K., we will be there – WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!”
According to the BBC, police confirmed that at least one fatality had resulted from the attacks, but details were still unfolding and that count could increase.
Armed police raid The Blue Eyed Maid in Borough high street at London Bridge on June 3, 2017 in London, England. Police have responded to reports of a van hitting pedestrians on London Bridge in central London. (Getty)
BBC reported that Prime Minister Theresa May released the following statement: “Following updates from police and security officials, I can confirm that the terrible incident in London is being treated as a potential act of terrorism. This is a fast moving investigation. I want to express my huge gratitude to the police and emergency services who are on the scene. Our thoughts are with those who are caught up in these dreadful events.”
Jessica McBride is a Heavy contributor. She was a crime, government, and breaking news reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and reporter for the Waukesha Freeman newspaper. Her award-winning work has appeared in numerous magazine, newspaper, and online publications. She has also appeared as a crime reporter on Investigation Discovery Channel, History Channel, and Oxygen Channel. She can be reached by email at jessica.mcbride@heavy.com.June 3, 2017 9:25 pm
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