UK: Several people stabbed near London Bridge, suspect shot dead by police

The Metropolitan Police declared it a ‘terrorist incident’.

The police in London on Friday shot dead a man suspected of stabbing several people near London Bridge at 2 pm local time. The suspect had a “hoax explosive device” strapped on his body.

“As you would expect due to the nature of the incident, we responded as though this was terrorist related,” Assistant Commissioner of Police Neil Basu told reporters. “I am now in a position to confirm that it has been declared a terrorist incident.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it an “appalling incident” and thanked the “emergency services and members of the public for their immense bravery” in responding to the attack.

According to reports, the suspect stabbed several people before being wrestled to the ground and disarmed by members of the public, according to a Press Association report cited by The Guardian. The newspaper reported that at least five people were injured in the attack. Underground services at the nearest station to London Bridge were halted by authorities.

In 2017, eight people were killed when three Islamist terrorists drove a van into crowds crossing London Bridge before attacking others with knives on the bridge and in neighbouring pubs and restaurants.

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