Armed police allegedly shot dead a man handling a knife on London Bridge today as five people were injured and crowds were seen running away from the scene.
British police said on Friday that a man appeared to have been shot in an incident at London Bridge in the heart of the British capital.
“We are in the early stages of dealing with an incident at London Bridge,” police said in a statement.
A spokesman said: “It appears somebody has been shot.”
British media sources said that the incident of firing took place near the London Bridge Hospital in London, following which the hospital has been sealed.
People in the capital could be heard shouting ‘they’ve actually got guns out’ this afternoon as footage from the scene showed a person slumped on the ground.
The incident comes two and half years after the 2017 terrorist attack on London Bridge which saw three men kill eight people and injured 48 others.
One video showed what appeared to be police pulling equipment out of a vehicle nearby. Those in the video could be heard saying: ‘They’ve actually got guns out.’
Police evacuated London Bridge station and the surrounding area. A cordon was set up at Borough Market while evacuation continues from shops and businesses. The response from officers led scores of people to run down St Thomas’ street, though the exact cause of the incident is still unknown.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘Police were called at 1.58pm to a stabbing at premises near to London Bridge.
‘Emergency services attended, including officers from the Met and City of London Police. A man has been detained by police. We believe a number of people have been injured. Further info to follow.’
BBC correspondent John McManus told BBC News that he had heard several gun shots on London Bridge.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has just reached back home safely from the London Bridge area of shooting, family sources confirm
Nawaz Sharif was on his way to appointment at London Bridge Hospital Friday afternoon when the police sealed the area near the hospital because of shooting. Hassan Nawaz Sharif confirmed that he advised his father to return instead of trying to reach the hospital.
Nawaz Sharif was only five minutes away from the hospital when police locked down the area, said a source travelling in one of three cars with the former prime minister.
