Just In! One Dead After Van Deliberately Hit ‘Mosque Worshippers’ In London’s Finsbury Park
One man has died after a van hit 11 worshippers leaving a Muslim welfare centre in north London.
The Metropolitan Police said eight people have been taken to hospital after the collision in Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park.
A further two people were treated at the scene where police arrested a 48-year-old man who had been held by members of the public amid angry scenes.
There are reports that another two people leapt out of the van but escaped, although this has yet to be confirmed by police.
The Counter Terrorism Command Unit is helping the Met Police with their investigation into the incident which witnesses described as deliberate.
The collision occurred outside Finsbury Park’s Muslim Welfare House, which is nearby the Finsbury Park Mosque.
Theresa May has described the incident as “terrible”, adding: “All my thoughts are with those who have been injured, their loved ones, and the emergency services on the scene.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who constituency is nearby North Islington, said: “I’m totally shocked at the incident at Finsbury Park tonight. I’ve been in touch with the mosques, police and Islington council regarding the incident.
“My thoughts are with those and the community affected by this awful event.”
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) general secretary Harun Khan said: “During the night, ordinary British citizens were set upon while they were going about their lives, completing their night worship. It appears from eyewitness accounts that the perpetrator was motivated by Islamophobia.
“Over the past weeks and months, Muslims have endured many incidents of Islamophobia and this is the most violent manifestation to date.
“Given we are approaching the end of the month of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid with many Muslims going to local mosques, we expect the authorities to increase security outside mosques as a matter of urgency.”
A delivery driver who was on a bike about three cars behind the incident, Mohammad Abdullah, told Sky News he saw the van take a sudden left turn.
“I think he done it on purpose. I was on a ped. He was about three cars in front of me. He came in a bus lane and took a sharp left.
“He went on top of the people. He actually ran them over. It was a white van.
“There was three of them. Two of them ran away. The other was held at the scene until the police came. Some people wanted to beat him up.
“I’ve seen about six or seven people on the floor. Most of them was male. It was exactly the same time as the prayers finished. As soon as it finished, this guy came. I think (the road he took) is a blocked road – It’s not even a through road.
“The other two got away. They must be somewhere around Finsbury Park. They ran away somewhere.”
He said the man arrested did not say anything.
“He had a tattoo on his back. He was not ill. He was not drunk. He got arrested by five or six police officers. They took him away. They never dropped him or nothing.”
He said in his opinion it was a terrorist attack.
Ratip Alsulaimen, who ran to the scene from a coffee shop, said between eight to 10 victims were taken away by ambulances.
Another witness, Abdikadar Warfa, said: “I saw a man underneath the van. He was bleeding. My friend said he had to lift the van, I was busy with a man who tried to escape.
“My friend said he said some words, but I didn’t hear it.
“They (people who were hit) were mostly young. They are very bad.”
Sky News reporters on the scene say it is tense – with one man shouting at police officers.
He claimed it took them one hour to arrive at the scene while “someone bled to death”.
Video images of the scene seen by Sky show a number of people on the ground with what appear to be a variety of injuries, some of whom look like they are seriously hurt.
Pictures on social media suggest the collision occurred at the entrance to Whadcoat Street.
London Ambulance Service say they have sent a “number of resources” to the scene.
Dozens of police, fire and ambulance service vehicles have been sent to the area, armed officers are on the scene and a helicopter is overhead.
The Met Police said in a statement: “Police were called just after 0020hrs 18 June to reports of a vehicle in collision with pedestrians.
“Officers are on scene with other emergency services. There are a number of casualties being worked on at the scene.
“There has been one person arrested. Enquiries continue.”
London Ambulance Service Deputy Director of Operations, Kevin Bate said: “We were called at 12.15am to reports of a road traffic collision at Seven Sisters Road.
“We have sent a number of ambulance crews, advance paramedics and specialist responses teams to the scene. An advance trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance has also been dispatched by car.
“We are working closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene.
“Our priority is to assess the level and nature of injuries and ensure those in the most need are treated first and taken to hospital.”
Transport for London says Seven Sisters Road has been closed northbound between Hornsey Road and Rock Street.
