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
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
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.
If you are having trouble viewing this in your browser click here.
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 police have confirmed that at least one person has died in the incident at London Bridge, according to reports.
Sky News is showing live pictures of dozens of people being escorted from the scene with their hands on their heads. The area is still undergoing an "active incident", police have said.
Donald Trump has retweeted a post from the Drudge Report about the incident. He and every other major politician is yet to comment on the events.
Donald Trump has apparently posted a message about the incident, though he didn't make explicit reference to what was happening in London."We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety."
Brian Paddick, the former deputy assistant commissioner of the Met is among those who have taken to Twitter to offer people in the area a place to stay, using #londonbridge.
Brutal and shocking incidents reported in London. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Thank you to the emergency services.
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Downing Street says Prime Minister Theresa May will chair a meeting of the government's emergency response committee on Sunday. A spokesman for May says the prime minister is in contact with officials and is being regularly updated. May has not commented yet but in the past she has convened her emergency security Cabinet known as Cobra after major incidents. Britain's official terror threat had recently been lowered from "critical" after a bombing killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U. K., we will be there - WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
His first post didn't explicitly reference London and only his travel ban.
We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Husband and wife Ben and Natalie told BBC Radio 5 Live they were outside Borough Market, coming up the entrance of the underground when they saw the incident.
Ben said: "We saw people running away and then I saw a man in red with a large blade, at a guess 10 inches long, stabbing a man, about three times.
"It looked like the man had been trying to intervene, but there wasn't much he could do. He was being stabbed quite coldly and he slumped to the ground."
Ben said the man walked away boldly with another person, and went towards the Southwark Tavern. He said they saw a metal chair being thrown towards the man.
"Then we heard three gunshots, definitely gunshots, and we ran."
Pictures have been posted of heavily armed police in other stations, including Bank in Central London, apparently responding to the night's incidents 
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Police cars and vans rush from borough area towards bank area - don't know how they'll get thru solid traffic on london rd
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments