This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/04/world/europe/uk-london-attacks.html
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| London Terrorist Attack Strikes a Nation Still Reeling | London Terrorist Attack Strikes a Nation Still Reeling |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| For the third time in less than three months, Britain was reeling from a major terrorist attack after three knife-wielding assailants unleashed a horrifying, late-night assault on Saturday night, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens of others in the heart of London. | For the third time in less than three months, Britain was reeling from a major terrorist attack after three knife-wielding assailants unleashed a horrifying, late-night assault on Saturday night, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens of others in the heart of London. |
| The attack came days before national elections this week and after Britain had downgraded the threat level to “severe” from “critical,” the highest category, then raised it again on Sunday. | The attack came days before national elections this week and after Britain had downgraded the threat level to “severe” from “critical,” the highest category, then raised it again on Sunday. |
| On Sunday morning, Prime Minister Theresa May said that though this attack and the recent ones were not connected, “We believe we are experiencing a new trend in the threat we face, as terrorism breeds terrorism.” | |
| Her Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party both announced they were temporarily suspending campaigning for Thursday’s parliamentary elections. Mrs. May said, however, that the elections on Thursday would proceed. | |
| Mayor Sadiq Khan of London, meanwhile, said the police had been dispersed across the city, as security would remain heightened throughout the week. | |
| Mr. Khan, who described the incident as a “deliberate and cowardly attack on innocent Londoners,” said that some of the injured were in critical condition, raising the possibility that the death toll could rise. | Mr. Khan, who described the incident as a “deliberate and cowardly attack on innocent Londoners,” said that some of the injured were in critical condition, raising the possibility that the death toll could rise. |
| “We are all shocked and horrified by the brutal attacks in London,” Jeremy Corbyn, Labour’s leader, said in a statement. “My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died and the many who have been injured. Today, we will all grieve for their loss.” | “We are all shocked and horrified by the brutal attacks in London,” Jeremy Corbyn, Labour’s leader, said in a statement. “My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died and the many who have been injured. Today, we will all grieve for their loss.” |
| The attack occurred about 10 p.m. Saturday, in what quickly became a terrifying night in Central London as the sirens of police cruisers and ambulances wailed into the early morning hours. | The attack occurred about 10 p.m. Saturday, in what quickly became a terrifying night in Central London as the sirens of police cruisers and ambulances wailed into the early morning hours. |
| Witnesses and police officers described a white van roaring across London Bridge, jumping over the curb and plowing over shrieking pedestrians. The van eventually crashed into a railing, and three men jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the bars and restaurants at Borough Market. At least one of them began slashing at patrons with a large knife, witnesses said. | Witnesses and police officers described a white van roaring across London Bridge, jumping over the curb and plowing over shrieking pedestrians. The van eventually crashed into a railing, and three men jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the bars and restaurants at Borough Market. At least one of them began slashing at patrons with a large knife, witnesses said. |
| Heavily armed police officers responded to the bridge attack, and more officers rushed to investigate reports of stabbings at the market. The police shot and killed the three attackers there, within eight minutes of receiving the first emergency call, they said. | Heavily armed police officers responded to the bridge attack, and more officers rushed to investigate reports of stabbings at the market. The police shot and killed the three attackers there, within eight minutes of receiving the first emergency call, they said. |
| The men were wearing fake explosives vests, the authorities said. | The men were wearing fake explosives vests, the authorities said. |
| Though no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, it hit a nation still recovering from the shock of the bombing in Manchester almost two weeks ago, when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the doors of an Ariana Grande concert. Twenty-two people were killed, including many children. | Though no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, it hit a nation still recovering from the shock of the bombing in Manchester almost two weeks ago, when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the doors of an Ariana Grande concert. Twenty-two people were killed, including many children. |
| Ms. Grande is expected to return to Manchester with a star-powered lineup on Sunday night to pay tribute to the victims. | Ms. Grande is expected to return to Manchester with a star-powered lineup on Sunday night to pay tribute to the victims. |
| Saturday’s attack was reminiscent of another on Westminster Bridge on March 22, when Khalid Masood, 52, drove a car into pedestrians, killing four people. He then stabbed a police officer to death before being shot and killed near Parliament. The police treated that attack, in which 50 were injured, as “Islamist-related terrorism.” | Saturday’s attack was reminiscent of another on Westminster Bridge on March 22, when Khalid Masood, 52, drove a car into pedestrians, killing four people. He then stabbed a police officer to death before being shot and killed near Parliament. The police treated that attack, in which 50 were injured, as “Islamist-related terrorism.” |
| The mood in London veered from shock to anger, especially late Saturday night into early Sunday morning as police raced to lock down the area around Borough Market, advising people to run, or hide and silence their cellphones as officers searched for other possible assailants. | The mood in London veered from shock to anger, especially late Saturday night into early Sunday morning as police raced to lock down the area around Borough Market, advising people to run, or hide and silence their cellphones as officers searched for other possible assailants. |
| There was panic that a third stabbing in the Vauxhall area about the same time as the assaults near the bridge might have been part of a coordinated attack, but the police later declared that incident unrelated. | There was panic that a third stabbing in the Vauxhall area about the same time as the assaults near the bridge might have been part of a coordinated attack, but the police later declared that incident unrelated. |
| The attacks came a few days before a snap election that has major implications for the country’s future outside the European Union. Across London, and Britain, there was a sense of fear that a way of life was under attack, but also a determination to carry on. | The attacks came a few days before a snap election that has major implications for the country’s future outside the European Union. Across London, and Britain, there was a sense of fear that a way of life was under attack, but also a determination to carry on. |
| The prime minister was expected to speak later on Sunday morning and also convene a meeting of the government emergency response committee, known as Cobra. | The prime minister was expected to speak later on Sunday morning and also convene a meeting of the government emergency response committee, known as Cobra. |
| Expressions of support poured in from Europe, the United States and beyond. In a media communiqué, President Emmanuel Macron of France expressed solidarity with the British people and describing the attack as “horrendous and cowardly.” | Expressions of support poured in from Europe, the United States and beyond. In a media communiqué, President Emmanuel Macron of France expressed solidarity with the British people and describing the attack as “horrendous and cowardly.” |
| “French citizens are amongst the victims,” he added. “France is doing everything it can to provide them with assistance.” It was not clear if French citizens were killed in the attack. | “French citizens are amongst the victims,” he added. “France is doing everything it can to provide them with assistance.” It was not clear if French citizens were killed in the attack. |
| The Australian leader also said citizens of his nation were among the injured. | The Australian leader also said citizens of his nation were among the injured. |
| Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany said, “We are united beyond all borders in horror and sorrow, but also in determination.” | Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany said, “We are united beyond all borders in horror and sorrow, but also in determination.” |
| President Trump tweeted: “Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the UK, we will be there — WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!” | President Trump tweeted: “Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the UK, we will be there — WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!” |
| A White House spokesman said Mr. Trump had been briefed by his national security aides on the unfolding events in London. | A White House spokesman said Mr. Trump had been briefed by his national security aides on the unfolding events in London. |
| Mr. Trump also spoke with Mrs. May, offering his condolences for the attacks and praising the response of the police, White House officials said. He offered the full support of the United States government in investigating the attacks. | Mr. Trump also spoke with Mrs. May, offering his condolences for the attacks and praising the response of the police, White House officials said. He offered the full support of the United States government in investigating the attacks. |
| President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who expressed condolences to Mrs. May, called the assault “shocking in its cruelty and cynicism,” according to the Kremlin. | |
| The Metropolitan Police commissioner, Cressida Dick, announced on Sunday that the death toll had risen to seven. | The Metropolitan Police commissioner, Cressida Dick, announced on Sunday that the death toll had risen to seven. |
| No motive has been ascribed to the attackers, but on the messaging app Telegram, members and supporters of the Islamic State shared a poster that calls for supporters to attack people with guns, knives and trucks during the Holy Month of Ramadan, which began last weekend. | No motive has been ascribed to the attackers, but on the messaging app Telegram, members and supporters of the Islamic State shared a poster that calls for supporters to attack people with guns, knives and trucks during the Holy Month of Ramadan, which began last weekend. |
| On Saturday night, ambulances rushed to the scene, people fled in panic, restaurants and hotels were evacuated, and helicopters flew overhead. | On Saturday night, ambulances rushed to the scene, people fled in panic, restaurants and hotels were evacuated, and helicopters flew overhead. |
| Witnesses described horrible scenes. | Witnesses described horrible scenes. |
| Holly Jones, a BBC reporter who was on the bridge when the van crashed, said it was driven by a man and was “probably traveling at about 50 miles an hour.” She said that at least five people were being treated for injuries after the vehicle drove on the sidewalk and hit them. | Holly Jones, a BBC reporter who was on the bridge when the van crashed, said it was driven by a man and was “probably traveling at about 50 miles an hour.” She said that at least five people were being treated for injuries after the vehicle drove on the sidewalk and hit them. |
| “He swerved right round me and then hit about five or six people,” Ms. Jones said. “He hit about two people in front of me and then three behind.” | “He swerved right round me and then hit about five or six people,” Ms. Jones said. “He hit about two people in front of me and then three behind.” |
| A witness, who identified himself as Andrew, said he was in the area at a bar, heard “a massive bang” and saw a van hitting the rail of the road. | A witness, who identified himself as Andrew, said he was in the area at a bar, heard “a massive bang” and saw a van hitting the rail of the road. |
| “Next 10 seconds later, there was a guy with a big knife, I mean, a big knife,” he told LBC Radio. | “Next 10 seconds later, there was a guy with a big knife, I mean, a big knife,” he told LBC Radio. |
| Andrew said he jumped over a fence, got to a footpath and there was “a dead guy lying on the floor.” He hid for a few seconds in bushes nearby, then, he said, “I ran for my life.” | Andrew said he jumped over a fence, got to a footpath and there was “a dead guy lying on the floor.” He hid for a few seconds in bushes nearby, then, he said, “I ran for my life.” |
| At the market, Ben, who did not give his last name, told the BBC that he and his wife, Natalie, saw someone being stabbed. | At the market, Ben, who did not give his last name, told the BBC that he and his wife, Natalie, saw someone being stabbed. |
| “I saw a man in red with quite a large blade — I don’t know the measurement, I guess maybe 10 inches,” Ben said. “He was stabbing a man. He stabbed him about three times fairly calmly.” | “I saw a man in red with quite a large blade — I don’t know the measurement, I guess maybe 10 inches,” Ben said. “He was stabbing a man. He stabbed him about three times fairly calmly.” |
| Ben added, “He was being stabbed quite coldly and he slumped to the ground.” | Ben added, “He was being stabbed quite coldly and he slumped to the ground.” |
| He then said someone threw a table and a bottle at the man with the knife, but “then we heard three gunshots and we ran.” | He then said someone threw a table and a bottle at the man with the knife, but “then we heard three gunshots and we ran.” |
| A man named Gerard told the BBC that he saw men stabbing everyone they could and shouting “this is for Allah.” | A man named Gerard told the BBC that he saw men stabbing everyone they could and shouting “this is for Allah.” |
| He saw three men with knives “and they stabbed a girl,” he said. “So I follow them, toward Borough Market, they were running into the pubs and bars and stabbing everyone. They were running up, saying this is for Allah, and they run up and stabbed this girl 10, maybe 15 times.” | He saw three men with knives “and they stabbed a girl,” he said. “So I follow them, toward Borough Market, they were running into the pubs and bars and stabbing everyone. They were running up, saying this is for Allah, and they run up and stabbed this girl 10, maybe 15 times.” |
| Lorna Murray, 44, said she was about to drive over London Bridge when traffic stopped and people ran toward her car. “We ducked down in our car, assuming there was a stabbing,” she said. “Then this young couple started banging on the doors trying to get into our car for safety. We took them in but couldn’t let anyone else in because we had a baby in the back.” | Lorna Murray, 44, said she was about to drive over London Bridge when traffic stopped and people ran toward her car. “We ducked down in our car, assuming there was a stabbing,” she said. “Then this young couple started banging on the doors trying to get into our car for safety. We took them in but couldn’t let anyone else in because we had a baby in the back.” |
| The police told everyone to leave their cars and get away. “When I got out the car everything was a blur, but I saw a woman with blood all over her face,” she said. | The police told everyone to leave their cars and get away. “When I got out the car everything was a blur, but I saw a woman with blood all over her face,” she said. |
| Tim Hodge, 37, a security officer at a nearby office building on the south side of the bridge, described “huge crowds” running and screaming. “There was so much panic and so many of the people were drunk, which made them more hysterical,” he said. | Tim Hodge, 37, a security officer at a nearby office building on the south side of the bridge, described “huge crowds” running and screaming. “There was so much panic and so many of the people were drunk, which made them more hysterical,” he said. |
| Alex Shellum was in the Mudlark pub, underneath London Bridge, with his girlfriend. He told the BBC about an injured woman who came into the pub: “She was bleeding heavily from the neck. It appeared that her throat had been cut.” | Alex Shellum was in the Mudlark pub, underneath London Bridge, with his girlfriend. He told the BBC about an injured woman who came into the pub: “She was bleeding heavily from the neck. It appeared that her throat had been cut.” |
| Gabriele Sciotto, a photographer returning from a bar, saw the police confronting three men outside the Wheatsheaf bar on Stoney Street and ordering them to get down. Two of the men were shot by police, he said. | Gabriele Sciotto, a photographer returning from a bar, saw the police confronting three men outside the Wheatsheaf bar on Stoney Street and ordering them to get down. Two of the men were shot by police, he said. |
| “They looked like they had some explosive belts,” Mr. Sciotto said. “The police didn’t know what was going on honestly. They shouted at them to go down, to stop moving. It was very chaotic.” | “They looked like they had some explosive belts,” Mr. Sciotto said. “The police didn’t know what was going on honestly. They shouted at them to go down, to stop moving. It was very chaotic.” |
| The police said the suspects were wearing what looked like explosive vests but they were later established to be hoaxes. | The police said the suspects were wearing what looked like explosive vests but they were later established to be hoaxes. |
| Mr. Sciotto took a photograph, which he later posted to Instagram, that appeared to show at least two men on the ground. | Mr. Sciotto took a photograph, which he later posted to Instagram, that appeared to show at least two men on the ground. |
| “At the moment these people were shot it was just me, the men and the police,” Mr. Sciotto said. | “At the moment these people were shot it was just me, the men and the police,” Mr. Sciotto said. |