A man carrying a dummy explosive device stabbed two people Friday, November 29, on London Bridge, before being shot by police. The attack, considered "Terrorist" turned upside down the election campaign less than two weeks before the legislative elections on December 12th.
Three people were also wounded in the attack on the bridge in the center of the British capital, where an attack had already taken place in 2017, Scotland Yard chief Cressida Dick told the press. "We also work tirelessly to understand what happened and if other people are involved"she added, adding that the police presence in the streets would be strengthened in the coming days.
Police said it was called at 13:58, 14:58 in Paris, for a knife attack near London Bridge, a bridge and a major station in the center of the British capital.
Passersby intervened to control the author of the attack. Stevie Hurst, a tour guide and one of those who fought with the suspect, testified at the BBC that he saw people running around shouting "He stabbed women! " then jump on the man. In the scrum, he kicked her.
"We did everything we could to try to pull out his knife so he did not hurt anyone else"explained the tour guide. According to him, the assailant shouted "Bomb! " when the police tried to stop him, before shots were fired.
#BREAKING: A man running around with a knife and being shot in #London on the #Londonbridge https://t.co/RE7WjPpoOU #Terror
"There seemed to be a fight going on across the bridge, with several men attacking a man"confirmed the journalist, John McManus, at the BBC. "The police arrived quickly, including armed police. "
Images circulating on the social network show police officers point their weapon towards a person on the ground. "I saw a man fall to the ground, with a knife next to him" after "Several shots", testified a man working in offices opposite the bridge, evaluating to a dozen policemen and several dogs the device to neutralize the suspect.
- What is the current situation at the scene of the attack?
This attack occurred on the day of "Black Friday", day of sales, in a busy district of the capital. A large police force was deployed on Friday afternoon, preventing passersby to approach within 100 meters of the bridge, where a dozen buses were completely immobilized.
Three police boats were stationed under the bridge and many ambulances were present, while the nearby busy train and metro station were closed. Ambulance services said "A major incident" and sent "Several teams on the spot".
The area, where there are many offices and places of exit, was evacuated, and will remain buckled " some time ", according to the police.
For the moment, the British authorities have not given any details, but the assailant would be a man known to the security services and bound to "Islamist terrorist groups"according to the Press Association press agency quoting a security source.
According to British media reports, he was wearing an electronic bracelet after being released on parole following a terrorism conviction. The Times newspaper, quoting government sources, said Friday he was attending a conference organized by Cambridge University on the rehabilitation of prisoners in Fishmonger's Hall, a building on the north end of the London Bridge where the attack began. after the police.
Before the start of a meeting of the government's crisis committee in the evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he stressed " since a long time " than "It's a mistake to allow violent criminals to get out of prison early".
- How are the authorities reacting?
The United Kingdom " will never be (…) divided or intimidated by this type of attack "warned Boris Johnson, the prime minister, on British television, assuring that "Anyone involved in this crime and these attacks would be hunted down and brought to justice". The attack is now "Contained"but the public must stay "Vigilant"continued the conservative leader, who has received support from abroad.
Johnson called a meeting of the government's crisis committee on Friday night, his services said. The Cobra committee meeting is scheduled for 9:30 pm local time, according to the prime minister's spokesperson.
Following the attack, a few days before a NATO summit in London Tuesday and Wednesday many heads of state, the Conservative and Labor parties have suspended their campaign for Friday night.
"We will remain united and determined in the face of terrorism. Those who seek to attack and divide us will never succeed ", said the mayor of London, calling Londoners to the "Vigilance". Several people have "Took risks for their own safety this afternoon", added Sadiq Khan, who hailed their "Incredible heroism".
"The United States strongly condemns all horrible violence against innocent people and we wholeheartedly support our ally, the United Kingdom"said a White House spokesman. "Very saddened", the future new President of the European Council, Charles Michel (it will be invested on 1st December), said that "The fight against terrorism is a common battle".
- What are the previous attacks in London?
In June 2017, a pickup truck hit the crowd on London Bridge before its three occupants stabbed passersby in the Borough Market. Balance: eight dead and fifty wounded. This was one of the attacks claimed by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group that hit the United Kingdom that year.
In March 2017, a man drove into the crowd with his vehicle on Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer deadly in front of the Parliament, killing five people. Two months later, 22 people – including children – were killed in an attack at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
In early November, the level of terrorist alert in the United Kingdom was lowered from "Serious" at "Substantial", the risk of an attack being now considered as 'Probable', and no " highly probable "said Interior Minister Priti Patel.
