LONDON BRIDGE TERROR RAMPAGE
THE ATTACKS & UK'S REACTION:
AT LEAST seven people were killed and as many as 48 injured yesterday when terrorists mowed down pedestrians on London Bridge and then went on a stabbing rampage.
One of two Australians caught up in the London terror attack was Candice Hedge, who moved to London from Queensland a year ago.
She reportedly told friends and family back in Australia that she had been stabbed in the throat, but it had missed her windpipe and main arteries.
A van was seen ploughing into pedestrians at London Bridge and eyewitnesses reported gunfire and stabbings at the bridge and in nearby Borough Market.
Three terrorists wearing stab-proof vests emerged from the van and began the stabbing attack.
Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said police were still trying to determine if there were more suspects at large, amid reports SAS troops had been flown into London.
The three male terrorists were gunned down at Borough Market within eight minutes of the first emergency call. The incident began at 10.08pm local time (7.08am AEST).
Witnesses heard one of the attackers scream “this is for Allah” as a young woman was stabbed.
Mr Rowley said what appeared to be explosives – seen on the body of at least one suspect – had been “established to be hoaxes”.
At least 48 wounded people, including a police officer, had been taken to six London hospitals.
One horrified witness had told The Sun he was left covered in blood after a man
❝trying They were to get in the pub but the doors were locked. They were smashing the windows.
stormed a restaurant and slashed diners.
Jag Sandue was at the Black and Blue steak restaurant when he said he saw several men storm in armed with knives.
He said blood was sprayed on his shirt when a man was cut down behind him.
“There were people throwing chairs and glasses outside and I thought it might just be a fight. Then I realised it was more than that, people were running,” Mr Sandue said.
“Next thing we know, they’re in our restaurant. People were screaming ‘they’ve got knives’.”
British Prime Minister Theresa May returned to Downing Street from election campaigning to chair an urgent national security meeting.
Police in riot gear filled the streets and told pedestrians and reporters to run and leave the area as fast as possible.
Police continued to tweet the “run, hide, tell” message, suggesting there were other attackers still at large.
Witnesses at London Bridge said a white van veered off the road and hit five or six people.
At least three people reportedly got out of the vehicle and started stabbing.
Those caught up in the attack mixed with late-night revellers who at first did not understand the confusion.
People were throwing beer glasses and chairs at attackers to stop them entering pubs and restaurants while customers cowered in fear in kitchens and staff quarters.
One witness told Reuters she saw what appeared to be three people with knife wounds and possibly their throats cut.
Another told Sky News there had been “significant gunfire” heard in the area.
One reveller was stabbed five times, a witness said.
A 40-year-old witness told The Sun: “I was in the Wheatsheaf pub. The doors were locked by the bar staff. Three men with big hunting knives were outside.
“They were trying to get in the pub but the doors were locked. They were smashing the windows.
“I saw at least one man stabbed in the chest about five times.”
Armed police then shot two of the attackers.
Live video showed people streaming out of bars in the area with their hands raised above their heads.
Another video circulating on social media showed people in a bar ducking for cover as police stormed the building.
Thousands of people were in the area when it was sealed off by heavily armed police. Officers were checking people, some of whom had their arms raised, before they were allowed out of the cordon.
Residents were told not to expect to be allowed home for several hours.