A woman was killed and a police officer stabbed near the British Houses of Parliament in London during a wild attack Wednesday that’s being treated “as a terrorist incident,” according to reports.
House of Commons leader David Lidington told the BBC that the “alleged assailant was shot by armed police” after the “serious incident.”
One woman died during the attack, while several others were wounded, including some with “catastrophic” injuries, a doctor at St. Thomas’ Hospital, told the Press Association.
The attacker, whom several witnesses described as a middle-aged man, reportedly charged at police officers outside Parliament with an “8-inch” knife before being shot. Sources told The Independent the assailant is “Asian.”
“We heard a loud bang, lots of shouting and men running around. Someone rushed through, attacked a policeman,” a witness told The Sun.
“He appeared to be carrying a knife or a gun. We then heard gunfire, five or six rounds.”
Witnesses also said they saw a car mow down at least five people on the Westminster Bridge before crashing into the gates outside Parliament, according to The Sun. Disturbing photos show several injured people lying on the bridge as they get assistance from bystanders.
Steve Voake, 55, told NBC News he heard screaming as he was walking over the bridge.
“I thought it was a road accident,” he explained. “There was lots of panic and confusion. Then I saw a shoe on the ground. I saw one body on one side of the road and one body face down in the water with blood all around it.”
Two people reportedly were seen lying outside Westminster Hall. The House of Commons has been suspended, and Prime Minister Theresa May was rushed away in a car, according to reports.
“At the moment, the very clear advice from the police and the director of security in the house is that we should remain under suspension, and that the chamber should remain in lockdown until we’ve received advice that it is safe to go back to normal procedures,” Lidington said.
Scotland Yard said the attack was being treated “as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise,” according to The Telegraph.
-Agencies
