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".
Here's the statement from Theresa May's spokesman on the Conservatives suspending national campaigning today:
"The Conservative Party will not be campaigning nationally today. We will review as the day goes on and as more details of the attack emerge."
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has said some of those injured in the attack are in critical condition.
He also said the UK terror threat level remains at severe, indicating an attack is highly likely.
Mr Khan said Londoners would see an increased police presence today.
He went on to say although campaigning will be suspended today, Thursday's general election should go ahead.
A journalist reported missing in the wake of the London terror attack has been found, his friend said.
Geoff Ho, a business editor with the Sunday Express, is in intensive care after allegedly being stabbed.
The London Mayor added: "One of the things that we can do is show that we aren't going to be cowed, is by voting on Thursday and making sure that we understand the importance of our democracy, our civil liberties and our human rights.
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"I'm not an advocate of postponing the election. I'm a passionate believer in democracy and making sure that we vote and we recognise actually that one of the things these terrorists hate is voting, they hate democracy."
President Donald Trump argued in favor of his controversial travel ban as London authorities responded to the attacks.
One tweet read: "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!"
Mr Trump began tweeting about the incidents an hour or so after initial news reports.
First, he retweeted a Drudge Report item about the attacks, then provided his own message about the travel ban.
A few minutes later Mr Trump tweeted a message of support for Londoners: "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!"
Mr Trump later called Prime Minister Theresa May to offer condolences.
The White House said the president "praised the heroic response of police and other first responders and offered the full support of the United States government in investigating and bringing those responsible for these heinous acts to justice."
One Australian has been injured in the attack, the country's Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has said.
He added that officials are looking into reports a second was also caught up in the attack.
The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has expressed solidarity with the people of London following the attacks.
Ms Merkel said she learned with "sadness and dismay" of the attacks in the London Bridge area on Saturday night.
She said that "today, we are united beyond all borders in horror and sorrow, but also in determination."
She stressed that "in the fight against every form of terrorism, we stand firmly and with determination at Britain's side."
BBC reporter Holly Jones was at the bridge when the incident happened, and was told by an injured French woman that she did not know where the two people who had been with her were.
Ms Jones said: "She told me in French: 'I don't know where those two other people are.' So the police are checking the Thames.
"They were right near the edge of the bridge. It looks potentially they could have been thrown over."
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