At least nine people were killed including three attackers and multiple people injured in a terrorist "rampage" at two central London landmarks, reports The Telegraph.
The three attackers were shot dead by police in the attack on London Bridge and Borough Market. Police said they believed there were no more than three attackers.
A white transit van ploughed into a crowd of people on the bridge at speed shortly after 10pm Saturday (June 3). The three men then attacked people with knives at nearby Borough Market.
The London Ambulance Service said at least 20 injured people had been taken to six hospitals. The Metropolitan Police force declared the attacks "terrorist incidents."
Hours after the attacks began, a large area of central London remained cordoned off and police told people to avoid the area, leaving tourists and revelers struggling to get home.
Bursts of gunfire echoed through the streets - likely from armed police - and at least three blasts rang out as police performed controlled explosions.
One picture from the Borough Market area showed a man lying on the ground who appears to have canisters strapped to him.
Holly Jones, a BBC reporter at London Bridge when the first incident happened, said a van had swerved off the road into a crowd of pedestrians.
"A white van driver came speeding - probably about 50mph - veered of the road into the crowds of people who were walking along the pavement," she told BBC News.
Within minutes there were reports of a second incident at Borough Market on the south bank of the Thames. One cab driver said three men ran towards the market stabbing people - including a young girl - as they ran.
An eyewitness on London Bridge told the BBC he saw three men stabbing people indiscriminately, shouting "this is for Allah" in a "rampage".
Police entered bars and restaurants in the Southwark area around 11pm and told customers to get down on the floor amid reports that the incident was still ongoing. People outdoors were told by yelling police officers to run from the area as the atmosphere turned to one of “hysteria”.
Shortly before midnight police said they were attending a third incident in the Vauxhall area, but later said it was not connected.
British Transport Police said they were aware of reports of “multiple” casualties.
Prime Minister Theresa May, who was understood to be at her Maidenhead constituency when she was alerted to the news, will chair a Cobra meeting first thing on Sunday morning.
The attack comes less than a fortnight after the Manchester suicide bombing and just three months after a terrorist ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before stabbing a policeman to death at Parliament.
US President Donald Trump offered assistance to Britain via Twitter. "Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the UK, we will be there - we are with you. God bless!".
BDST: 0927 HRS, JUN 4, 2017
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