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Police officers fired "in the region of 50 rounds" of ammunition when shooting dead the three terrorists responsible for killing seven people and injuring at least 48 in a vehicle and knife attack, according to London Metropolitan Police.
Key points:
- Officers fired around 50 rounds after cornering the attackers
- The terrorists were wearing fake suicide vests
- The Met says it was a case of "life or death" and attackers had to be "neutralised"
Investigators are beginning to establish a clearer picture of events surrounding the attack, in which a van mowed down pedestrians on London Bridge before three attackers got out and began stabbing people in pubs and restaurants.
British Prime Minister Theresa May described the attack as part of a new trend of terrorism, declaring "enough is enough" and foreshadowing a raft of measures including a crackdown on extremists' access to the internet.
Speaking late on Sunday night (local time) London Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said the white Renault van used in the attack had been recently hired by one of the attackers.
"As we currently understand it, the van entered London Bridge at 21:58 travelling from the north to the south side of the river," Mr Rowley said.
"The van mounted the pavement, and collided with pedestrians before being abandoned, where the attackers, armed with knives, continued into the Borough Market area, stabbing numerous people.
"The attackers were then confronted by the firearms officers and I can confirm that eight police firearms officers discharged their weapons."
He said the details were still subject to investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
"Our initial assessment is that in the region of 50 rounds were discharged by eight officers. The three attackers were shot dead," he said.
"The situation these officers were confronted with was critical — a matter of life and death. Three armed men, wearing what appeared to be suicide belts, had already attacked and killed members of the public and had to be stopped immediately.
"Indeed I am not surprised that, faced with what they must have feared were three suicide bombers, the firearms officers fired an unprecedented number of rounds to be completely confident they had neutralised those threats.
"As the officers confronted the terrorists — and fired shots — a member of the public also suffered gunshot wounds. Although we do not believe the injuries to critical in nature, they are in hospital receiving medical attention."
Victims describe heroism of emergency services
Ibrahim Dag, a taxi driver, witnessed some of the moments that followed the brutal attack.
He stopped his car when he saw a young woman calling for help to save her injured boyfriend.
"She was telling the guy to keep breathing, and she was shouting for the ambulance and stuff, yelling at people to help them," Mr Dag said.
Richard Angell, who was with friends in a nearby restaurant, said he saw someone walking out of the neighbouring restaurant, fully drenched in blood.
"What stays with me is the heroism of the emergency services … the ambulance services who have to turn their back on danger to protect the person in front of them, how people come together and work together to do it, and how people defy these cowardly acts," he said.
College student Vashu Tyagi was leaving his dorm and heading to a nearby bar to celebrate the end of classes when he saw people running frantically down the street.
As three men with large knives stabbed anyone in their path, police yelled at Mr Tyagi and others to get back inside — an order he credits with saving his life.
"Obviously they gave us good advice," he said. "I'm quite lucky to be here."
Cordons in place, armed officers on streets
London's Metropolitan Police said officers were still working to inform the families of the seven dead victims.
So far a Canadian woman and a French citizen are known to be among the dead.
Nearly 50 injured people are currently receiving medical treatment in hospitals spread across the city.
Cordons remain in place near London Bridge and Borough Market and additional armed and unarmed police officers will be posted on the streets.
The SITE Intelligence Group said Islamic State's news agency was claiming terrorists from the extremist group carried out the attack.
ABC/wires
Topics: terrorism, police, united-kingdom
First posted