Police officers and emergency responders at the incidents in London. (Getty)
President Donald Trump quickly reacted to the incidents in London, writing on Twitter that Americans “need to be smart, vigilant and tough.” He added that this was a reason why courts need to allow his immigration executive order to go back into effect. Prime Minister Theresa May has confirmed that the incidents are being investigated as a “potential act of terrorism” and Metropolitan police have said that the incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market “were declared as terrorist incidents.” Seven people died in the attack, as well as three suspects shot by police.
In the first tweet, Trump wrote, “We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!” In a second tweet, Trump said the U.S. will do whatever it can to help the U.K. “Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U. K., we will be there – WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS,” Trump wrote.
We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!
Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U. K., we will be there – WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!
Trump also re-tweeted a Drudge Report tweet.
Vice President Mike Pence echoed Trump’s statement.
Our thoughts & prayers are w/ the victims, courageous first responders & all the people of London. As President Trump said: WE ARE WITH YOU.
Press Secretary Sean Spicer also tweeted that the President was briefed by the National Security Team a short time before Trump tweeted.
National security team has briefed @POTUS on situation at #LondonBridge and will continue to provide updates
The U.S. State Department also issued a statement on the attack.
.@StateDept statement on #Londonattacks
According to the BBC, police have confirmed that there was at least one fatality in one incident at London Bridge, one of the bridges that crosses the River Thames. Pedestrians were reportedly hit by a white van. There was also an incident at Borough Market.
The BBC reports that the first incident was at London Bridge and began at around 22:08 BST. Eyewitnesses told the BBC that the white van got onto the pavement and struck pedestrians. A little over an hour later, British Transport Police confirmed to the BBC that there was “a number” of casualties during that incident, which also involved stabbings, as three people reportedly jumped out of the van with knives. The incident at nearby Borough Market also reportedly involved stabbings. Emergency personnel say there are at least 20 people injured.
Metropolitan police have tweeted that the incident at Vauxhaull was an unrelated stabbing. However, the incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market “were declared as terrorist incidents.”
At 0025hrs 4/6/17 the incidents at #LondonBridge & #BoroughMarket were declared as terrorist incidents.
The BBC has broadcast a photo they say shows men on the ground with what appears to be canisters strapped to them.
BBC broadcasting image purporting to show suspected London Bridge terrorist with canisters strapped to body
The Associated Press reports that British police have confirmed that seven people died in the attacks and around 48 were wounded. Three suspect were shot and killed by police. Officials added Sunday morning that they arrested 12 people in London in connection with the attack.
U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May issued the following statement on the incidents. The U.K. government also had an emergency meeting of COBRA (Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms).
Following updates from police and security officials, I can confirm that the terrible incident in London is being treated as a potential act of terrorism. This is a fast moving investigation. I want to express my huge gratitude to the police and emergency services who are on the scene. Our thoughts are with those who are caught up in these dreadful events.
Australian Senator Sam Dastyari was at a restaurant near the incidents. He told Channel Nine that the scenes were “horrific,” adding, “The sounds, you can hear it all, you can hear them screaming.”
“They’re trying to get people out of the city now but when these things happen the first reaction is just the fear and confusion,” Datyari said. “The sheer sense and waves of and kind of panic that run through people … the police, I can’t stress how well they’ve handled it but it takes them a few minutes to actually get to places.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan wrote:
My statement on the cowardly terrorist attack in London tonight: t.co/PaGXogN60N
Please continue to follow @metpoliceuk for updates
The Trump administration is currently trying to get the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on his immigration executive order, which has been put on hold by lower courts. The order would bar citizens of Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan from entering the U.S. for 90 days if it went into effect.
