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| London Knife Attack Kills Woman and Wounds 5 Other People | London Knife Attack Kills Woman and Wounds 5 Other People |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| One person was killed and five were wounded Wednesday night in a knife attack in London, the Metropolitan Police said. | |
| The police said they were called around 10:30 p.m. about a man with a knife who was attacking people in Russell Square, a park in central London. A woman in her 60s died at the scene, the police said. | |
| Five others, two women and three men, were wounded. Details about their conditions and injuries were not immediately available, although the police said on Twitter on Thursday morning that three people had been discharged from the hospital. | |
| A 19-year-old man was arrested shortly after officers arrived at the scene, the police said. A stun gun was used by one of the arresting officers. The man was in police custody at a London hospital. | A 19-year-old man was arrested shortly after officers arrived at the scene, the police said. A stun gun was used by one of the arresting officers. The man was in police custody at a London hospital. |
| The police said in a statement that “terrorism is one possibility being explored at this stage.” A Metropolitan Police official, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, later said, “Early indications suggest that mental health is a significant factor in this case,” while adding that security would be increased as a precautionary measure. | |
| Mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement on Thursday that the “safety of all Londoners” was his top priority. He also expressed his sympathy for the victims and asked residents to keep an eye out as the investigation continued. | Mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement on Thursday that the “safety of all Londoners” was his top priority. He also expressed his sympathy for the victims and asked residents to keep an eye out as the investigation continued. |
| “I urge all Londoners to remain calm and vigilant,” Mr. Khan said. “Please report anything suspicious to the police. We all have a vital role to play as eyes and ears for our police and security services and in helping to ensure London is protected.” | “I urge all Londoners to remain calm and vigilant,” Mr. Khan said. “Please report anything suspicious to the police. We all have a vital role to play as eyes and ears for our police and security services and in helping to ensure London is protected.” |
| Russell Square is in the Bloomsbury section of London, best known as the home of the British Museum and many universities, including University College London. Although many students live and study in Bloomsbury, and it is a popular place for tourists to stay, the area around the square is not particularly known for its night life. | Russell Square is in the Bloomsbury section of London, best known as the home of the British Museum and many universities, including University College London. Although many students live and study in Bloomsbury, and it is a popular place for tourists to stay, the area around the square is not particularly known for its night life. |
| The knife attack occurred just hours after officials announced the start of Operation Hercules, an initiative that included the addition of 600 armed officers to better protect the city against an attack. | The knife attack occurred just hours after officials announced the start of Operation Hercules, an initiative that included the addition of 600 armed officers to better protect the city against an attack. |
| “The threat level here in London has not changed, but it does remain at severe, and especially in light of recent deadly attacks in Europe, it is important we are prepared should the unthinkable happen,” Mr. Khan said in a statement on Wednesday. | “The threat level here in London has not changed, but it does remain at severe, and especially in light of recent deadly attacks in Europe, it is important we are prepared should the unthinkable happen,” Mr. Khan said in a statement on Wednesday. |
| “We will see more armed officers on our streets, but there is no reason to be alarmed,” he added. | “We will see more armed officers on our streets, but there is no reason to be alarmed,” he added. |
| Most London police officers do not carry firearms in a country where gun control laws are far stricter than those in the United States. | Most London police officers do not carry firearms in a country where gun control laws are far stricter than those in the United States. |
| Residents in the area said the police responded quickly. “Thank you so much @metpoliceuk for being so fast, caring and efficient tonight in #russellsquare,” Susanna Cappellaro wrote in a post on Twitter. “I am a resident and I really thank you.” | |
| The police have been on heightened alert after a series of terrorist attacks in Europe. | The police have been on heightened alert after a series of terrorist attacks in Europe. |
| “Anyone who’s been following events in Europe over the past few weeks will understand why we want to show our determination to protect the public,” said the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe. | “Anyone who’s been following events in Europe over the past few weeks will understand why we want to show our determination to protect the public,” said the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe. |