Stockholm attack latest: Manhunt for suspect in green jacket after lorry ploughs into crowd
Police treating incident as terror attack
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
A lorry has been driven into crowds in central Stockholm in what police are treating as a terror attack.
Here are the latest updates:
Manhunt for suspect in green jacket after lorry kills three and injures 'many' more
Witnesses describe horror of attack where hundreds fled for their lives
Police say lorry was hijacked earlier today and incident is being treated as terror attack
Why Sweden - and was it Isis? Everything we know so far
A lorry has crashed into a crowd of people in central Stockholm killing at least three people, Swedish police have said.
Armed police rushed to the scene and shots have been fired, Swedish radio reported.
The incident occurred at Ahlens Mall in Drottninggatan, a shopping area of the city, which has been cordoned off.
A witness told Swedish daily paper Aftonbladet: “I went to the main street when a big truck came out of nowhere. I could not see if anyone was driving it but it got out of control. I saw at least two being run over. I ran as fast as I could from there.”
Another witness told the paper they saw hundreds of people “running for their lives” outside the shopping centre.
“A vehicle has injured people on Drottningatan,” police spokeswoman Towe Hagg told Reuters.
Sky News is running a still image of a man who has been arrested in Stockholm. It's not known how or indeed if he was involved in the attack - Sky's presenter notes that it would seem remarkable for the driver to have walked away from such a crash, and still be standing.
A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Germany "stands with" Sweden in the wake of the attack.
There are now reports in Swedish media that no one has been arrested, despite the PM's comments earlier.
Towe Hägg at Stockholm police told Aftonbladet that there was no information to suggest anyone has been arrested. She could not comment on whether someone was being cared for or detained in other ways.
Reuters is also quoting Swedish police saying no one is currently arrested in relation to the attack.
Sources have told the news agency that the Swedish government offices have been placed on lockdown and all ministers are safe.
Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, has issued a statement in response to the attack.
He says: "Our thoughts are with the people of Sweden following the tragic events in Stockholm today. On behalf of the European Commission, I would like to send my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to salute the courageous work of the first responders who arrived so quickly on the scene.
"One of Europe's most vibrant and colourful cities appears to have been struck by those wishing it – and our very way of life – harm. We stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with the people of Sweden and the Swedish authorities can count on the European Commission to support them in any which way we can.
"An attack on any of our Member States is an attack on us all."
Sweden's army is preparing to "provide support" to the police in Stockholm in the wake of the attack, according to a statement on its website.
It says this "type of event" is mainly a police issue, but that legislation exists allowing the army to be involved in the emergency response.
Swedish police have confirmed they are searching for a man pictured near the scene of the crime wearing a green jacket, grey hoodie and white shoes. A manhunt is underway.
This is the man Swedish police say they want to speak to in connection with the attack. They are appealing for members of the public to call them immediately if they see him, but not to approach him directly.
Anders Thornberg, Director-General of the Swedish Security Service (SAPO), says there was no specific intelligence warning of this attack."We will leave no stone unturned to find out who is behind this", he adds.
Swedish police have confirmed that no one has yet been arrested in connection with the attack. They are also unable to confirm how many people were killed.
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