London terror attack live updates: Seven killed in London Bridge and Borough Market before armed police shoot three suspects dead
Prime Minister warns Britain is in the grip of a spate of copycat terror attacks
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At least seven people were killed and dozens more injured after a van drove into pedestrians on London Bridge and several men then started stabbing passersby in what police said was a terrorist attack.
The incident began on London Bridge when a white transit-style van drove into a crowd of people "at about 50mph", according to witnesses.
Police said the van then drove to the nearby Borough Market where three men began attacking people. Three suspects were shot dead by armed police.
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Three men have been shot dead after killing seven and injuring 48 more with a van and knife attack in London.
The killings on Saturday night were the second terrorist atrocity to hit the country in as many weeks after 22 were killed at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
Attackers brought carnage to the streets of the capital, stabbing a police officer and revellers with 12-inch knives, reportedly shouting "this is for Allah".
The trio were pictured wearing what appeared to be explosive vests, with Scotland Yard later confirming they were hoaxes.
Armed police rushed to the scene and shot dead the three male attackers in the Borough Market area near the bridge, as authorities urged Londoners on Twitter to "run, hide, tell" if they were caught up in the violence.
The attacks came just five days ahead of a national parliamentary election on Thursday. The ruling Conservative Party suspended national campaigning on Sunday, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said.
"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," Ms May said in a statement as events unfolded.
The killings also occurred less than two weeks after a suicide bomber killed 22 people at a pop concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande in Manchester in northern England.
The BBC showed a photograph of two possible attackers shot by police, one of whom had canisters strapped to his body. Hours after the attack the area remained sealed off and patrolled by armed police and counter-terrorism officers.
The London Ambulance Service said 48 people had been taken to five hospitals across the city and a number of others had been treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Streets around London Bridge and Borough Market, an area that is a major transport hub and is packed with bars and restaurants, was busy with people on a night out.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan spoke of a "cowardly attack on innocent Londoners and visitors to our city enjoying their Saturday night".
The Scottish National Party have called off campaigning for Thursday's parliamentary election after an attack in London which killed six people, a spokesman for the party has said.
"National campaign activity has been suspended," the spokesman said.
Armed police on St Thomas Street, London, near the scene of last night's terrorist attack at Borough Market (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed the Labour Party will suspend general election campaigning until this evening.
In a statement, he said: We are all shocked and horrified by the brutal attacks in London. "My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died and the many who have been injured. Today, we will all grieve for their loss.
"I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their bravery and professionalism in acting to save lives and deal with these appalling acts of terrorism, as well as NHS staff and members of the public who sought to protect others.
"The Labour Party will be suspending national campaigning until this evening, after consultations with other parties, as a mark of respect for those who have died and suffered injury.
"Those who wish to harm our people, divide our communities and attack our democracy will not succeed. We will stand together to defend our common values of solidarity, humanity and justice, and will not allow terrorists to derail our democratic process."
A man from New Zealand has been placed in a medically induced coma after he was stabbed in the face, neck and stomach, media in New Zealand report.
Oliver Dowling, from Christchurch, was among those injured in the Borough Market stabbing.
His sister, Freddy, says the injuries missed his vital organs.
"Oliver is now stable after a four-hour-long surgery. Doctors are very happy with how he's come out the other side," she wrote on Facebook.
"A massive thanks to the University of London Hospital for their tireless efforts in helping my brother out!!"
Flags fly at half-mast over Downing Street ahead of a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee (Leon Neal/Getty Images)
French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told radio station FranceInfo four French citizens were injured in the attack.
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