Yesterday we reported on the devastating mass knife attack that occurred in Russell Square Station in central London, and today news has emerged that multiple Australians were involved in the incident.
Out of the six people attacked, an Australian man and woman were injured. A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson confirmed a third Australian was present during the attack but was not injured.
British police have spoken out about the attacker, a young Norwegian man of Somali background. While media originally reported that this incident was gang-related, police are now stating they believe the attack to be related to mental illness.
London Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said their investigation into the episode “increasingly points to mental health issues”, and said they’ve found no sign of radicalisation.
“Early indications suggest that mental health was a factor in this horrific attack. However we are keeping an open mind regarding the motive.”
The 19-year-old attacked six people altogether, killing one 60-year-old American woman, and the injured five were Australian, Israeli, British and American.
Police have stated that it appeared to be a “spontaneous attack and that the victims were selected at random”.
Three of the injured have been discharged, while the other two remain in hospital.
Source: Newscorp.
Photo: London Tourism Office.
