‘Depraved’ attack in London
Prime minister confirms terrorism in strike that killed five people, including unnamed suspect
LONDON — British police have launched a major counterterrorism investigation after an attack outside the Houses of Parliament that left five people dead, including the assailant, and 40 others injured in what British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned as a “sick and depraved terrorist attack.”
Large parts of Westminster, including Parliament and the government offices in Whitehall, were locked down for several hours after the attack that began midafternoon Wednesday on Westminster Bridge.
Despite a damp and unseasonably cold day, the bridge across the River Thames was busy with tourists, office workers and police officers returning from a commendation ceremony.
A vehicle driven directly into the crowds hit several of them. Others fled in panic. Video taken by a tourist from Taiwan and broadcast by the BBC showed dozens of people running across several lanes of busy traffic as they tried to get away.
Three police officers, several French teenagers on a school trip, two Romanian tourists and five South Korean visitors were among the injured.
London Ambulance Service said medics treated 12 people for serious injuries and many more who were less seriously hurt.
Dr. Colleen Anderson of St. Thomas’ Hospital said some of the wounded had “catastrophic”