Woman killed, 5 injured, in knife attack in central London

"Mental health" believed to be a factor, but terrorism hasn't been ruled out

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Woman killed, 5 injured, in knife attack in central London

One woman has died, and another five have been injured, in a knife attack in central London last night.

The attack took place in Russell Square near the British Museum just after 10.30pm. The victim is believed to be a woman in her sixties, while two other women and three men sustained injuries.

Police used a stun gun to detain a 19-year-old man, who was arrested and taken to hospital. He remains in custody.

https://twitter.com/willziz/status/761008678128324608

The Metropolitan Police have said that mental health might have played a “significant” factor in the violence, but they are also investigating a possible terrorist motive.

RAW VIDEO: 1 dead and 5 other injured in London knife attack. https://t.co/NafAUnovtU

— The Associated Press (@AP) August 4, 2016

https://twitter.com/Claire_Phipps/status/761034012634644480

One witness told the BBC that the attacker “kept screaming his guts out” while “police were screaming stop, stop, stop”. He added that police pinned the attacker to the ground “for at least 30/40 minutes” while waiting for an ambulance.

https://twitter.com/Telegraph/status/761082473128218624

The London Ambulance Service said in a statement:

“We sent a number of staff to the scene, including four ambulance crews, a responder in a car, an advanced paramedic and two officers. A medical team of a doctor and paramedic from London’s Air Ambulance also attended by car. Our first staff arrived at the scene within seven minutes.“Sadly, despite extensive treatment one woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Our staff also treated a further five people who had been injured during the incident, three men and two women, who were all taken to hospital.”

A private ambulance has arrived at the murder scene #LondonStabbing #RussellSquare pic.twitter.com/SwjrYlxoq6

— Nicky Harley (@nickyharley) August 4, 2016

London mayor Sadiq Khan has appealed for calm after the attack, as tensions are high in the capital amid fears that a terror attack is “highly likely” in the British capital following a summer of terrorist violence across Europe.

https://twitter.com/SadiqKhan/status/761084553540710401

“I have spoken with the Commissioner, and the Assistant Commissioner, who have assured me that our police officers are working extremely hard to investigate exactly what has happened and to keep the rest of us safe,” Khan said.

“A man was arrested at the scene. Police have spoken to him and are seeking to establish the full facts including motives for this attack.

“I urge all Londoners to remain calm and vigilant. Please report anything suspicious to the police‎. We all have a vital role to play as eyes and ears for our police and security services and in helping to ensure London is protected.

“Our police officers are doing an incredibly difficult job on our behalf and they have my full support.”

Cover image via The Guardian.