7 killed, 48 seriously injured in London terror attacks; 3 assailants shot dead

London: Police specialists collected evidence in the heart of London after a series of attacks described as terrorism killed seven people and injured 48 others. Prime Minister Theresa May called an emergency security cabinet session Sunday to deal with the crisis.

The assault began Saturday night 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 attack unfolded quickly, and police said officers had shot and killed the three attackers within eight minutes.

The violence turned a summery night in an area packed with



revellers into a scene of panic and chaos, with officers running through crowded streets screaming for people to flee. Lifeboats on the River Thames helped evacuate the area.

Emergency officials said 48 people were treated at London hospitals and a number of others suffered less serious injuries. The Metropolitan Police force declared the attacks "terrorist incidents," but there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Britain was already on edge after a suicide bombing two weeks ago at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, in northwest England, that killed 22 people and injured dozens of others. Grande and other stars are scheduled to perform a benefit concert for victims Sunday night.