A Not So Brief Summary Of What’s Happening in London

mcckingbirds:

I just thought that I’d toss together an impromptu post about the devastating events that’s happening as we speak in Westminister, Central London.

What Happened:

• Around 3pm, A car driven by a middle-aged man was caught driving along Westminister Bridge (the bridge that very basically connects greater London to Whitehall and Westminister) along the pavements and has run over somewhere between 8-10 people.
• The same car then turned into Parliment Square, and crashed into the fence around Parliment (the government building aka where Big Ben is) and the driver got out of the car and breeched security, gaining access to the inside yard of the Parliment building.
• The police officer who attempted to subdue the attacker was stabbed.
• The assailant was then shot multiple times by the security team.

The aftermath:

• The Prime-Minister, who was within Parliament to for the PM’s Question Time was promptly evacuated down the road to Downing Street.
• An air ambulance from St. George’s was landed on Parliament Square.
• The hospital across the road from Parliament was able to begin giving medical care until the ambulances arrived.
• Parliament went on lockdown, the debates were postponed and MP’s were instructed to stay in the House of Commons.
• Armed police and SAS were called to check the area.
• Unfortunately, one victim of the car incidents has since died.
• Footage on social media shows people lying in the road.
• Metropolitan Police say they are treating it as a terrorist incident and buildings are in lockdown.
  

Currently: 

• 500 people are being evacuated from Parliament.
  
• The MET have released this statement.
  

(via this source) 

• Any people who notice suspicious behaviour or witnesses are being encouraged to get in contact with the police. 

Update: (5pm)

• The attacker, who has been named responsible for 4 deaths, has died from gunshot wounds.
• The police officer who was assaulted and stabbed, protecting Parliament has also passed away.
• 100 Primary School Children have been evacuated from Parliament.
  
• Some of the individuals injured on the bridge have been identified as French students.
• The PM has left Downing Street and is to hold a COBRA meeting shortly.
• The casualty count is now up to 4, including the police officer and attacker, and the injury count is estimated to be around 20. This 20 includes 3 police officers who were on Westminister bridge, returning from a ceremony.
• A video released by a Journalist shows the moment the attack occurred.
• Parliament is still on lockdown.
• The hashtags #PrayforLondon and #Wearenotafraid are trending on Twitter.
  
• A video released by a MP taken inside of Parliament shows the panic of the MP members who were leaving the building.
• The police have identified that they only can certify that it was one attacker at this time.