At least four people have been in killed in a terrorist incident near the United Kingdom‘s House of Parliament in London, after a car drove into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.
The four dead include a police officer and a man believed to be the suspect. A further 20 people have sustained injuries, some of which have wounds described as “catastrophic”.
Dramatic video has emerged out of London where gunshots can be heard in the streets. #9News pic.twitter.com/5S0bZkFsU4
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) March 22, 2017
Two of the victims were killed when the attacker drove at high speed over the Westminster Bridge, striking pedestrians before crashing. According to the head of counter terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, Mark Rowley, the attacker was attempting to enter the House of Commons while armed with a knife. The police officer was stabbed while the attacker attempted to enter.
Rowley outlined the events:
This is a day we’ve planned for but hoped would never happen. Sadly it’s now a reality. The attack started when a car was driven over Westminster Bridge hitting and injuring a number of members of the public, also including three police officers on their way back from a commendation ceremony.The car then crashed near to parliament and at least one man armed with a knife continued the attack and tried to enter parliament. Sadly, I can confirm that four people have died. That includes the police officer protecting parliament and one man we believe to be the attacker, who was shot by a police firearms officer. The officer’s family have been made aware. At least 20 people have been injured.
One woman struck by the vehicle was reportedly flung over the edge of the bridge into the Thames, but was recovered alive.
Prime Minister Theresa May was reportedly in the lobby of the House when the attack occurred, and was quickly evacuated towards Downing Street.
Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood was seen attempting mouth-to-mouth resuscitation of an injured police officer. Ellwood is a former soldier whose brother was killed in the 2002 Bali bombing.
We’ll keep you updated on this.
Source: BBC.
Photo: PA.
