UPDATE (noon): London’s Metropolitan Police have confirmed that at least four people have died in a terrorist attack on Wednesday.
According to Mark Rowley, acting deputy police commissioner, one officer who was protecting parliament is among the dead, along with the attacker who was shot by an officer.
A/Dep Cmsr Rowley “Sadly, I can confirm that four people have died including one police officer" #Westminster
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017
Rowley said the incident began when a car drove over the Westminster bridge, injuring multiple people, including three police officers.
The car then crashed near parliament and man with knife tried to enter the building.
That’s when the police officer was attacked, leading to the demise of the suspected terrorist.
At least 20 people were injured prior to the death of the attacker.
Live update re incident in #Westminster https://t.co/gd10vkudHG
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017
Rowley is urging the public to stay out of the area, but is asking witnesses to come forward with information on the incident.
“Our strength as a city is our ability to stand together. We will do all we can to protect the people of London,” he said.
Parliament has been shut down for the time being, as per their existing emergency procedure.
Original story:
Emergency crews are responding to what they’re calling a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge in London, U.K.
Police were called at about 2:40 p.m. after reports of an incident on the bridge.
Officers, including firearms officers, remain on the scene and said they are treating it as a terrorist incident.
My statement on the incident near Parliament Square this afternoon. Please visit https://t.co/NzFxlDdZ9N for the latest information. pic.twitter.com/T4s43cGzub
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) March 22, 2017
Police are asking people to avoid the following areas multiple areas of the city so emergency services can deal with the ongoing incident.
Please use common sense and restraint in circulating pictures and videos of those that have been injured during the incident in #Westminster
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017
“We are working closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene, with our priority being to ensure patients receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible,” London Ambulance Service director Pauline Cranmer said. “We have declared a major incident and our priority is to assess patients and ensure that they are treated and taken to hospital as soon as possible.
“As we are very busy dealing with this incident, we would ask the public to only call us in a genuine emergency.”
