One killed, ten injured as man runs van into London mosque

A 48-year-old man in the early hours of Monday ran a van into worshippers in a mosque in Finsbury, London, killing one and leaving 10 others injured.

The driver was alleged to have screamed, “I’m going to kill all Muslims,” before plunging the white van  into pedestrians as the area was busy with worshippers attending Ramadan night prayers in Seven Sisters Road at 12.20am.

According to a witness, the van driver, described as a large white man, was detained by members of the public after the incident.

Amber Rudd, the home secretary, said police are treating it as a “terrorist incident”, while Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, described it as “a horrific terrorist attack”.

“The driver of the van – a man aged 48 – was found detained by members of public at the scene and then arrested by police in connection with the incident,” the Metropolitan police said in a statement.

“He has been taken to hospital as a precaution and will be taken into custody once discharged. He will also be subject of a mental health assessment in due course.”

Some witnesses at the scene said more than one attacker may have been involved but the police said no other suspects had been identified.

The force also dismissed reports that the van driver produced a knife.

“At this early stage of this investigation, no other suspects at the scene have been identified or reported to police, however the investigation continues,” the statement read.

“At this stage there are no reports of any persons having suffered any knife injuries.”

Neil Basu, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan police, who is senior national co-ordinator for counter-terrorism policing says it is too early to tell whether the man who died at the scene was killed in the attack.

The driver of the van has been arrested on suspicion of murder, Basu said.

Eight others were taken to hospital, while two were treated at the scene.

All of the victims were Muslim.

Theresa May, Prime Minister who also said the incident was being treated as a “potential terrorist attack”, will hold a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee today.