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One Dead And 10 More Injured After Van Hits Pedestrians In London

One Dead And 10 More Injured After Van Hits Pedestrians In London

The incident is being investigated as a 'potential terrorist attack'.

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A man has died and 10 people were injured after a van ploughed into worshippers leaving a north London mosque.

The 48-year-old driver of the van was held down by passers-by until police arrived at the scene and arrested him.

The attack happened just after midnight near Finsbury Park Mosque. Prime Minister Theresa May has said police were treating the incident 'as a potential terrorist attack'.

Many of those injured are believed to have been worshippers leaving the mosque.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "One man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are in the process of informing next of kin. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

Credit: PA

"Eight people injured were taken to three separate hospitals; two people were treated at the scene for minor injuries."

Shortly after news of the incident broke, rumours began to emerge that the man had a knife. However, when asked about this, Met Police said: "At this stage there are no reports of any persons having suffered any knife injuries.

"The driver of the van - a man aged 48 - was found detained by members of public at the scene and then arrested by police in connection with the incident.

"He has been taken to hospital as a precaution and will be taken into custody once discharged. He will also be subject of a mental health assessment in due course.

"Due to the nature of this incident, extra policing resources have been deployed in order to reassure communities, especially those observing Ramadan."

Abdul Rahman, who witnessed the attack, told the BBC: "When the guy came out from his van he wanted to escape, run away and he was saying, 'I want to kill Muslims.'

"I hit him on his stomach... and then me and the other guys... we held him to the ground until he couldn't move. We stopped him until the police came."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan took to social media to urge people to stay calm and vigilant.

He said: "We don't yet know the full details, but this was clearly a deliberate attack on innocent Londoners, many of whom were finishing prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.

"While this appears to be an attack on a particular community, like the terrible attacks in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge it is also an assault on all our shared values of tolerance, freedom and respect.

Credit: PA

"The situation is still unfolding and I urge all Londoners to remain calm and vigilant. Please report anything suspicious to the police, but only call 999 in an emergency.

"The Met have deployed extra police to reassure communities, especially those observing Ramadan."

Sources: BBC; Metropolitan Police

Featured Image Credit: PA