New Delhi: In a horrific incident, nearly 11 people were injured on Sunday when a car jumped on to a pavement and hit pedestrians in London, the police said. It occurred near Natural History Museum in the city.
The incident has been confirmed by the police as a road accident which is not “terror-related”.A man has been detained by the police. He is currently in custody at a north London police station, officials said.“
Eleven people were found at the scene with varying injuries and nine of them have been taken to hospital, and this includes the man who was detained by police.
“Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing,” the Metropolitan Police said.
A Downing Street spokesperson said British Prime Minister Theresa May is “being kept up to date on events”.Reports suggest the black Toyota Prius which mounted the pavement was a licensed taxi cab.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: “Very concerning reports from outside the Natural History Museum. My thoughts are with those injured and our thanks to the emergency services.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted that details were “still emerging” and he was in close contact with Assistant Metropolitan Commissioner Mark Rowley—the head of UK counter-terrorism policing.
“Police have asked people to avoid the area while their inquiries continue,” he said.Eyewitnesses said that police rushed into each bar and restaurant in the area and told people to get out.
The recent incident follows a number of attacks in which vehicles have been used to target pedestrians in London, including at London Bridge in June which claimed eight lives. In March, a terrorist rammed his vehicle into the side of the Parliament building in the British capital killing four people.
With PTI inputs