AT least one person is dead and ten are injured after a van rammed into pedestrians in a suspected anti-Muslim terror attack outside a mosque in north London.
Police confirmed a man was pronounced dead at the scene and counter-terrorism forces are investigating. Eight injured people were taken to three separate hospitals and two were treated at the scene for minor injuries after the van mowed down people on Seven Sisters Road in Finsbury Park.
The driver was arrested after witnesses said the van deliberately accelerated into a crowd of Muslim worshippers before a man jumped out. Armed police remain at the scene.
Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “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.
“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.
“The investigation of the incident is being carried out by the Counter Terrorism Command.
“At this early stage of this investigation, no other suspects at the scene have been identified or reported to police, however the investigation continues.
“Due to the nature of this incident extra policing resources have been deployed in order to reassure communities, especially those observing Ramadan.”
Several witnesses said there were three white men in the van and two escaped but this has not been confirmed. Police also denied rumours a knife was involved.
Another told Buzzfeed News he and his friends pinned the man down after he exited the van screaming, “Kill all Muslims!” and “kill me, kill me”. The witness said the van “went all over us” but he managed to get out of the way and held the man down until police arrived.
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