UK Parliament Terror Attack : What We Know So Far
Four people were killed, including the assailant, and 40 injured after being run over and stabbed in a terror attack at the heart of Britain's seat of power attributed by police to "Islamist-related terrorism". The lightning attack unfolded on Wednesday across Westminster Bridge in the shadow of Big Ben, a towering landmark that draws tourists by the millions and stands over Britain's Houses of Parliament -- the very image of London. The attacker was shot dead by police within the perimeter of UK Parliament. Here's what we know:
The attacker used a car to run down several pedestrians on the iconic Westminster Bridge. At least one woman and one other person were killed by the vehicle and others were left with "catastrophic injuries," according to police. Three police officers were among those injured on the bridge.
The driver then rammed his car into the Parliament fence and fatally stabbed a police officer as he tried to enter the building.
Police tape off Parliament Square in London after reports of loud bangs. (Photo: Reuters)
According to the British police, four people were killed, including one police officer and a woman. Forty people, including three police officers, were wounded. The attacker was shot dead by the cops when he tried to enter the iconic building in London.
The police officer was identified as Keith Palmer (48) Palmer, a member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, had worked as a police officer for 15 years.
British port officials said they pulled a woman from the Thames River after the attack. She was injured but alive.
French high school students were among the injured, according to French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve. The Associated Press reported that two Romanian tourists and five South Korean visitors were also injured in the attack, citing South Korea's Foreign Ministry.
The new Scotland Yard has declared the attack near Parliament Square as a terror incident. However, the London city police said they believe there was only one attacker, who was shot dead by police outside the entrance to Parliament, "but it would be foolish to be overconfident early on," Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism chief Mark Rowley said.
Interestingly, Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in Brussels, Belgium, last year that killed 32 people and wounded hundreds. According to police, there is no evidence so far that the London attack was related.
Meanwhile, the Parliament has been placed on lockdown and it is expected to resume normal operations from tomorrow.
In a statement from Downing Street, British Prime Minister Theresa May called the incident a "sick and depraved terrorist attack."
"The United Kingdom's threat level has been set at severe for some time and this will not change," she said. Londoners and visitors "will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart," May said.
Earlier, May was seen being ushered into a car at Parliament as the gun shots were being fired. May later confirmed she was in Parliament at the time of the "terror attack".
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement at Downing street in London, Britain, March 22, 2017 following the attack in Westminster. (Photo: Reuters)
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