London attack area popular with Indians

LONDON: The area struck by terror on Saturday night – London Bridge and the Borough Market – is popular among Indian tourists who join thousands from other countries and Britons to relax and enjoy the many culinary and other delights it offers.

The Indian high commission said there was no information of any Indian affected by the attack in which Scotland Yard confirmed that seven people were killed and 48 injured. Three assailants were shot dead as armed police neutralised them within eight minutes of the attack.

Sunil Chopra, senior Labour councillor in the London borough of Southwark where the terror attack occurred, told Hindustan Times: “I have lived here over 37 years and have never seen such scenes. I am sure it won’t stop us from carrying on as normal”.

“I have seen ever more Indian tourists coming to London Bridge, Borough market and my borough over the years, relaxing and enjoying. So far there is no information of any Indian affected; the borough has about 2% of people of Indian origin”, Chopra, the New Delhi-origin former lord mayor of Southwark, added.

An Indian tourist, who identified himself as Ajay to The Guardian, was on holiday with his wife and two children aged nine and 14. He said his family had abandoned plans to visit Manchester because of the attack on the Ariana Grande concert but were staying at a hotel close to where Saturday night’s attack happened.

They were in a pizzeria on Borough High Street on what was supposed to be the last day of their holiday when panic erupted around them.