Terror strike London Live: British interior minister says radical Islamist terrorists probably behind attack

Three assailants stabbed passers-by at random after smashing into pedestrians in a van, killing seven people in a "terror attack" in a popular nightlife hub in London before being shot dead by armed police.

The assault began when a van veered off the road and barrelled into pedestrians on London Bridge. Three men fled the van with large knives and attacked people at bars and restaurants in nearby Borough Market, police and witnesses said.

The London Ambulance Service said 48 people had been taken to five hospitals across the city and a number of others had been treated at the scene for minor injuries.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack in London.

Here are the latest updates on the incident:

4.13pm: Foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says four French people were injured in the attack.
3:50pm: The London attackers were probably radical Islamist terrorists, Britain's interior minister Amber Rudd says.

"As the Prime Minister said, we are confident about the fact that they were radical Islamist terrorists, the way they were inspired, and we need to find out more about where this radicalisation came from," Rudd told ITV television.

3:15pm: General election will go ahead as planned on Thursday, says May.

3:15pm: There is far too much tolerance of extremism in our country: Theresa May

3:14pm: British prime minister calls for tougher controls on cyberspace to prevent use by extremists.

3:12pm: Recent attacks bound together by evil ideology that says Western values incompatible with Islam: May

3:11pm: We are experiencing a new trend in the threat we face," UK PM

3:10pm: Police have disrupted 5 credible plots in last few months, says British PM Theresa May

3:08pm: Last night our country fell victim to a brutal terrorist attack: British PM Theresa May

3pm: Manchester Police say security will be increased for the Ariana Grande benefit concert later Sunday. The One Love Manchester event will take place as planned but with extra protection.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said there will be additional security checks and everyone will be searched at the Manchester event. Armed police will also attend.

2:40pm: The rightwing UK Independence Party has broken with other parties by announcing it will continue its general election campaign despite the terrorist attack.

2:16pm: London Met Police chief says she doesn't know the identity of suspects.

2:12pm: London police chief says she believes information will be shared with US law enforcement agencies as usual after attack.

2:10pm: London Bridge overground and underground stations remain closed.

2:08pm: Don't believe any suspects are at large but need to make absolutely sure, says Met Police chief.

2:08pm: We believe this incident is under control but still need to carry out thorough search of area: London Met Police chief

2:06pm: After striking pedestrians on London Bridge, vehicle continued to Borough market,suspects got out of vehicle and stabbed a number of people before they were shot dead: Cressida Dick

2:03pm: London Met Police chief Cressida Dick says it has now been confirmed that seven member of the public died in London attack.

1:50pm: Congress president Sonia Gandhi condemned the terror attacks in London and prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured, reports PTI.

1:46pm: Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the London "terrorist attack" and sent "profound condolences" to the British people, the Kremlin said Sunday.

1:32pm: UK Labour Party suspending campaigning until Sunday evening, says Jeremy Corbyn.

12:58pm: Scottish National Party campaign activity suspended after London attacks, says party spokesman.

12:52pm: Australian PM says two citizens were caught up in London attacks, one confirmed to be in hospital., reports Reuters.

12:45pm: Pakistan condemns London terror attack. "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the horrific act

of terrorism in London in which, reportedly, six innocent people have been killed and dozens have sustained injuries,"the Foreign Office said.

11:54am: One of the things we can do to show we are not cowed is to vote in the general election on Thursday: Sadiq Khan

11:50 am: Sadiq Khan also said that there will be an increased police presence in London on Sunday and that it wasn't a mistake to reduce terror threat level from critical to severe in days after Manchester attack

11:47am: Some of those injured in London attack are in a critical condition, UK threat level remains at severe: London mayor Sadiq Khan.

11:45am: Germany 'resolutely at Britain's side' after London attack, says Chancellor Merkel
11:40am: Strongly condemn attacks in London, condolences at tragic loss of lives & sincere wishes for recovery of injured: President Pranab Mukherjee

1 1:34am: At least two French citizens injured, one seriously in London attack: French President Macron's office.

11:33am: UK ruling Conservative Party suspends national campaigning for Thursday's general election, says spokesman for PM Theresa May

10:40am: We have taken 48 patients to hospital following the incident at LondonBridge,says London Ambulance Service

10am: American singer Ariana Grande tweeted "Praying for London" as she prepared for Sunday's charity concert to raise funds for those affected by the suicide attack at her concert in Manchester Arena two weeks ago.

9:53am: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday that Canadians "stand united" with London after three assailants stabbed people at random and smashed into pedestrians in a van, killing six.

9:24am: "Attacks in London are shocking & anguishing. We condemn them. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured," tweets PM Narendra Modi

8:48am: Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley says, "there will be additional police and officers deployed across the Capital" over forthcoming days"

8:37am: London Ambulance says more than 30 people taken to hospitals across London after attack
8:32am: London Police says believe there were no more than three attackers

8:23am: London Police says we belive 6 people died in addition to three attackers; suspects were wearing what looked like explosive vests, which were hoaxes

8:21am: London Police says counter-terrorism command leading investigation into London attack, reports Reuters

:19am: London Police says vehicle drove from London Bridge to Borough Market, assailants left vehicle, armed response officers shot and killed suspects: Reuters

8:17am: Trump calls May, offers condolences over 'brutal terror attacks':AFP

7:53am: Japan has issued a travel advisory warning its nationals to avoid places of what it calls potential targets in London, including sightseeing spots, department stores, markets, concert venues and political rallies.

7:14am: London Police unable to confirm that all terrorists are accounted for, reports Sky News.
7:06am: London Ambulance Service says it has taken at least 20 patients to six hospitals across London following incident at London Bridge.

6:55am: France stands "more than ever at Britain's side," French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday, following attacks in Central London in which a van ploughed into pedestrians and several people were stabbed.

"In the face of this new tragedy, France is more than ever at Britain's side," Macron said in a Tweet.
6:50am: Australia's foreign minister describes the incidents at London Bridge and London's Borough Market as a "shocking situation."

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says in a statement: "We stand ready to support the British government as it responds to these attacks and our thoughts are with those injured and their families."
The Australian Government is seeking to determine if any Australians are involved or affected in any way.

6:48am: Scotland Yard clarifies that the Vauxhall stabbing is not connected to the other two incidents.
"From 2208hrs, June 3 officers responded to reports of a vehicle in collision with pedestrians on London Bridge. Officers have then responded to reports of stabbings in Borough Market. Armed officers responded and shots have been fired. Officers subsequently responded to an incident in the Vauxhall area.

At 0025hrs 4 June the incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market were declared as terrorist incidents.

We will release facts when we can -- our info must be accurate. We urge the public to remain calm, but be alert and vigilant," they said in a statement.

6:40am: The Sun newspaper reported that two explosions were heard outside the paper's offices near London Bridge. The blasts, which occurred at 1:23 a.m. and 1:25 a.m., are believed to have been controlled explosions carried out by police, the newspaper said.

A third explosion was heard a few minutes later near The Shard, an iconic skyscraper close to London Bridge, the Sun reported. Several fire engines were parked outside the building at the time of the blast.

6:31am: London's Guy's Hospital, near London Bridge, and St Thomas' Hospital say they are "on lockdown" to keep patients and staff safe.

6:30am: US State Department says in a statement that it "condemns the cowardly attacks targeting innocent civilians in London"

6:14am IST: BBC shows photograph of possible London attackers who were shot by police. One of the men had canisters strapped to his body.

6:08am IST: London mayor Sadiq Khan says the London Bridge incident is a "deliberate and cowardly attack".

6:07am IST: A Reuters reporter heard three loud bangs in the vicinity of Borough Market where armed police are responding to a terrorist incident.

5:46am IST: The Sun newspaper said up to seven people were feared dead and that two attackers were shot dead near London Bridge, news agency Reuters reported.

The newspaper said five people were in the van that drove into pedestrians. It said those attackers, wielding knives, then targeted people in pubs and restaurants in Borough Market.

5:45am IST: Up to seven people feared dead in London incidents, says The Sun newspaper.

5:44am IST: Witness to London Bridge incident tells Reuters he heard what sounded like gunfire shortly afterwards from nearby Borough Market

5:43am IST: Witness to London Bridge incident tells Reuters the van hit people and then crashed into a bus stop

5:42am IST: A witness to the London Bridge incident tells Reuters he saw six people on the floor not moving after van drove into people

5:37am IST: British Police clarify:

5:32am IST: Police declare vehicle, knife incidents on and near London Bridge "terrorist incidents".

5:16am IST: British PM Theresa May says that the incident in London is being treated as a potential act of terrorism. Downing Street says the PM will chair a meeting of the government's emergency response committee .

"Following updates from police and security officials, I can confirm that the terrible incident in London is being treated as a potential act of terrorism," May said just over four days before voting is due to begin in a June 8 national election.

5:14am IST: Jeremy Corbyn, the head of the Labour Party, said on Twitter: "Brutal and shocking incidents reported in London. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Thank you to the emergency services."

5:00am IST: US President Donald Trump says "we need to be smart, vigilant and tough". Trump assures help to Britain even as he argues for his pet "Travel Ban".

4:40am IST: Police ask citizens to maintain their calm.

4:32am IST: BBC reports more than one persona has died in London Bridge incident.

4:22am IST: CNN cites eyewitness as saying that two men entered a restaurant near London Bridge and stabbed two people inside.

4:20am IST: London police say they are now responding to incident in Vauxhall area, over a mile away..

4:20am IST: British Police send out security advice on Twitter to Londoners, say "Run, Hide, Tell" if caught in attack.

People react as police attend to an incident near London Bridge in London. (REUTERS)
4:17am IST: UK government spokeswoman says PM May is in contact with officials and being regularly updated on London incidents.

4:15am IST: British Police say officers responded to reports of a vehicle in collision with pedestrians on London Bridge. Earlier, Nick Brandon of British Transport Police said the force had received reports of "multiple" casualties in an incident possibly involving a knife and a vehicle. He said he did not know how serious the injuries were.

4:10am IST: London police say shots were fired after they responded to reports of stabbings in Borough Market. The force said armed officers were sent to the scenes and shots were fired. They did not say if officers fired the shots.

4:00am IST: British police are believed to be searching for three suspects who may be armed, the BBC reported, after incidents on London Bridge and in the nearby Borough Market area.

The BBC also said PM May had been in contact with officials, and U. President Donald Trump had been briefed about the situation.

3:55am IST: The London Ambulance Service said "multiple resources" were being sent to the scene.

3:45am IST: BBC reporter Holly Jones, who was there at the time of the London Bridge incident, said she saw a van driven by a man travelling "at about 50 miles (80 kilometres) an hour".

She said about five people were being treated for injuries after the vehicle mounted the pavement and hit them.

She added she saw a man, who had his shirt off and was in handcuffs, being arrested by police.

Police attend to an incident near London Bridge in London, Britain, June 4. (REUTERS)
Eyewitnesses speak:

Multiple witnesses reported a vehicle veering off the road and hitting several pedestrians; others also said they saw a man with a knife.

A taxi driver said: "A van came from London Bridge itself, went between the traffic light system and rammed it towards the steps. It knocked loads of people down.

"Then three men got out with long blades, 12 inches long and went randomly along Borough High Street stabbing people at random."

Will Heaven, said he saw people who appeared to have been hit, and one being put into an ambulance.

"We saw injured people on the road, injured people on the pavement," he told Sky News.

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