Finsbury Attack: Van Mows Down Pedestrians near Mosque in N London, at Least 1 Dead

Local Editor

Multiple casualties are reported in London's Finsbury Park, where a vehicle drove into pedestrians, many of whom are believed to be Muslims coming out of the local mosque after prayers.

Meanwhile, British police arrested the 48-year-old driver of the van who ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians in north London, next to a Muslim center and close to a mosque. One man was pronounced dead at the scene and 10 people were injured, with eight of them being taken to the hospital.

In further details, a white van ploughed into people outside the Muslim Welfare House, close to the Finsbury Park Mosque. The suspected attacker has been described as a white male, and is seen being arrested in an eyewitness video.

A witness of the attack told media that many of the people were "crushed ... while they were having their coffee." It coincided with the time of the night when Muslims are breaking their fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

Videos showing the aftermath of the incident emerged on social media, in which several people could be seen lying motionless on the ground.

Before the police arrived at the scene, bystanders reportedly apprehended the alleged attacker and pinned him to the ground.

Some eyewitnesses reported that the driver veered off the road into the crowd on purpose. The van "slowly and intentionally accelerated into a crowded cafe outside a mosque," LBC cited an eyewitness as saying.

Police have, however, denied unconfirmed reports cited by the Evening Standard that a man wielding a knife came out of the van after it mounted the pavement and stabbed at least one person.

Armed police arrived at the scene and inspected the van used in the attack. The scene has been cordoned off.

Mohammed Kozbar, the chairman of Finsbury Park mosque, located 300 meters from the site of the attack, told RT he believes it was deliberate and should be treated as a terrorist attack.

Agitated bystanders approached police cordons, demanding that they disclose the known details and identity of the attacker. Officers replied that they "won't release names," and continued to call it a "serious, major incident."

The London Fire Brigade reported that they are assisting the police and ambulance services in dealing with the incident.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted he was "totally shocked at the incident at Finsbury Park tonight," adding that his thoughts were "with those in the community affected by this awful event." Corbyn has been the MP for the Islington North constituency, which includes Finsbury Park Mosque, since 1983.

Corbyn attended the mosque on Wednesday, June 14, for an annual Iftar ceremony with other local community leaders, including Christian and Jewish religious leaders, peace campaigners and a representative of the Metropolitan police.

A similar statement by Prime Minister Theresa May also called the attack "a terrible incident."

"All my thoughts are with those who have been injured, their loved ones, and the emergency services on the scene," May said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team