7 Killed, 3 Suspects Dead After ‘Brutal Terrorist Attack’ at London Bridge, Borough Market

ABC NEWS- Seven people were killed, three attackers are dead and 48 victims have been transported to hospitals after a “brutal terrorist attack” in London Saturday night involving a vehicle plowing into pedestrians on London Bridge and stabbings at Borough Market, officials said.

At a press conference Sunday morning, British Prime Minister Theresa May referred to the events as a “brutal terrorist attack” and the attackers as “terrorists.” She added “there is far too much tolerance of extremism in our country.”

London Metropolitan Police announced on Sunday a series of arrests related to the attack. “Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command have this morning, Sunday 4 June, arrested 12 people in Barking, east London, in connection with last night’s incidents in London Bridge and the Borough Market area,” read a statement. “Searches of a number of addresses in Barking are continuing.”

Police also confirmed that law enforcement officers were injured in the line of duty. “Among those injured in the attack are a British Transport Police officer and an off-duty Metropolitan Police officer,” read the statement. “Both remain in hospital with serious injuries but neither are believed to be in a life-threatening condition.”

May took direct aim at Islamic extremism, saying, “While the attacks are not connected, they are connected in one important sense: they are bound together by the single evil ideology that is Islamic extremism. Defeating this ideology is one of the great challenges of our time.”

May also cited the Internet as a breeding ground for extremism, saying “We cannot allow this ideology the safe space that allows it to breed.”

At a press conference Sunday morning, London Metropolitan Commissioner Cressida Dick announced that the death toll had increased from 6 to 7. She added, “We believe there were 3 attackers and we believe they are dead.”

Dick said police “believed” that the incident was under control, but a large police cordon remained in place in the area, south of the Thames, on Sunday. She police patrols will be increased in London, including those by armed officers

Police said they responded to reports of a vehicle striking pedestrians on London Bridge at about 10:08 p.m. local time.

Armed officers confronted the three male suspects, who were shot and killed by authorities in Borough Market, Rowley said. It was eight minutes, from the moment police were notified about the attack to when the three men were killed, Dick said.

Police said the suspects were wearing fake explosive vests. Prime Minister May said police determined they were worn “to spread panic and fear.”

The suspects were confronted and shot by the police within eight minutes of the first call, Rowley added.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who also called the incidents terrorism, said in a statement, “This was a deliberate and cowardly attack on innocent Londoners and visitors to our city enjoying their Saturday night. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. There is no justification whatsoever for such barbaric acts.”

President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation and spoke with Prime Minister May to offer his condolences. The White House said Trump “praised the heroic response of police and other first responders and offered the full support of the United States Government in investigating and bringing those responsible for these heinous acts to justice.”

The U.S. State Department condemned the incidents, saying in a statement, “The United States stands ready to provide any assistance authorities in the United Kingdom may request. Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. We wish a full and quick recovery to those injured in the attacks.”

The U.S. Embassy in London said, “We are closely monitoring the incidents in London. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected by this terrible situation … We stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance should we become aware of any affected U.S. citizens.”

Also Saturday night, police reported a stabbing incident in London’s Vauxhall neighborhood, but police have since said that it is not connected to the incidents on London Bridge and at Borough Market.