In what seems to be a ‘terror attack’, as many as 20 people have been reportedly mowed down by a white van on London Bridge. Gunshots were also heard at the site.
Authorities have not confirmed the nature of the incident yet nor the number of casualties but passer-by and eye witness accounts narrate a gory picture. Bodies of people stabbed are said to be strewn on the road.
According to eye witnesses, it appears that some unidentified men jumped out of the vehicle and started attacking people with knives. The vehicle is reported to have gone south of the river. The drivers have not been caught yet.
The gruesome scene unfolded along the Thames in central London. Police officers at the site were seen clearing off the area of terrified and panicked pedestrians. Armed police and a bomb squad are in attendance at the scene and boats are searching the water. The area has been closed for any further traffic and is on lock down. Pictures of the white van will be circulated across London.
The injured at the site are being attended by paramedics.
BBC reporter Holly Jones, who was on the bridge at the time of the incident, said the van was driven by a man and was “probably traveling at about 50 miles an hour”.
“He swerved right round me and then hit about five or six people. He hit about two people in front of me and then three behind,” Ms. Jones told the BBC News Channel.
The Metropolitan Police posted on Twitter: ‘We are dealing with an incident on London Bridge, when we have more information we will update this Twitter feed.’
Scotland Yard said officers were at the scene and they would update with further information.
London Ambulance Service tweeted that multiple resources were attending the area and advised the public to avoid the area.