UK Parliament locked down after apparent terrorist incident
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A BBC screenshot shows the shooting incidents. |
One woman was killed and at least six people were reported to have been injured after an incident near the British Parliament buildings on Wednesday afternoon, in what London police described as a "terrorist incident".
A man driving a sports utility vehicle is believed to have run over pedestrians on Westminster Bridge around 2.40 pm local time. The driver then apparently crashed into railings, got out of the car and attacked a policeman with a knife near the Palace Yard entrance to the House of Commons, before being shot.
The UK Press Association news agency quoted a doctor from St Thomas' Hospital saying that one woman had died and others had catastrophic injuries.
Theresa May, the British Prime Minister, was escorted from the House of Commons by armed police minutes after the incident. Police also shut the gates of nearby Buckingham Palace where Queen Elizabeth was in residence.
David Lidington, Leader of the House Commons, told members of Parliament at the time that police had shot an alleged assailant close to their chamber.
He told MPs: "What I am able to say to the House is that there has been a serious incident within the estate. It seems that a police officer has been stabbed; that the alleged assailant was shot by armed police. An air ambulance is attending the scene to remove the casualties. There are also reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity."
The sitting of the House of Commons was suspended and MPs were told to stay in the chamber. All other government buildings were placed under "lock down". Police evacuated the House and other nearby buildings.
The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh also suspended its debate, which was about the issue of a second referendum being held on Scottish independence.