More details are emerging about the French students injured on Westminster Bridge during the attack.
Ouest France reported that three students from the Saint-Joseph de Concarneau lycée (secondary school) were injured in the car attack. The paper said two of them were in a critical condition. The condition of the third is not known.
The pupils were in 2nd grade - aged 15 or 16. There were four classes from the school on a week-long visit to London, meaning more than 100 teenagers. Around a dozen were believed to have been on Westminster Bridge at the time of the attack.
Forough Salami, vice-president of the Brittany regional council, was in London with two colleagues Anne Gallo and Mona Bras. She was with a delegation of 40 people from business and cultural circles invited to the Australian embassy.
“At the time of the attack, we weren’t nearby and we had difficulty having information, but we’ve just learned what hospital the three injured lycéens from Concarneau were being treated. The rest of the class was held on a boat with psychological councillors before being taken back to their youth hostel,” she told the local newspaper.
Rex Tillerson, the new US secretary of state, said the thoughts and prayers of the American people were with the UK.
He said:
We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference.
The White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, said that President Trump had spoken by phone to Theresa May about the incident, adding that the US was continuing to monitor the situation.
“We obviously condemn today’s attack in Westminster,” he told reporters, noting that the UK government was treating it as a terrorist incident.
We applaud the quick response of British police and first responders.
Spicer said “our thoughts and prayers” are with the victims and the UK has the “full support of the US government in bringing those responsible to justice”.
Assistant commissioner, Mark Rowley, head of counterterrorism, confirmed that four people have died including one police officer and the attacker.
Attacker ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before crashing into the railing of the Houses of Parliament and exiting the car to continue the attack.
Attacker then stabbed one of the armed officers protecting parliament, who has died.
Police are currently working on the assumption that there was only one attacker.
Two people died on Westminster Bridge
At least 20 people have been injured, including three police officers who were returning from a commendation ceremony.
The public should expect a heavier police presence on the streets of London in forthcoming days. He said: “Please be vigilant you will see more police officers armed and unarmed on the streets of London.”
Police have deployed massive resources but they can call on the military if needed.
Rowley said:
This is a day we’ve planned for but hoped would never happen, sadly it’s now a reality.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has issued this statement about the attack.
My thoughts are with everyone caught up in the dreadful incident at Westminster today, including the emergency services who responded bravely to ensure the safety of the many people nearby.
Following the incident the Scottish government has been liaising closely with Police Scotland and the cabinet secretary for Justice has been briefed by the chief constable.
This afternoon our officials held a Scottish government resilience (SGoRR) meeting with Police Scotland, to ensure that any potential implications for Scotland are considered and I will convene a Ministerial SGoRR meeting later this evening.
We have been in regular dialogue with the parliament and I fully support the decision of the presiding officer to suspend proceedings this afternoon. It should be made clear, however, that this was not because of any specific threat to the parliament or to Scotland
We are liaising with our counterparts in the UK government and the Scottish government stands ready to support in any way we can.
Reports of heroic behaviour from the MP and minister Tobias Ellwood, who has been pictured trying to resuscitate the police officer stabbed by an assailant.
The Conservative MP for Bournemouth East is a former armed serviceman with The Royal Green Jackets. His brother, Jon, died in the 2002 Bali bombings.
Daily Telegraph chief political correspondent tweeted that he saw Ellwood being comforted in New Palace Yard after his attempts to save the police officer’s life.
A police officer is addressing us now. (By us, I mean the journalists and other people working in the Commons being held in Westminster Hall.) He says there has been a significant incident, and outside the building, New Palace Yard, is a crime scene. We are also witnesses, he says. So we will be held here for about 60 to 90 minutes.
After about an hour and a quarter they will take details from people. After that we will be allowed to leave, he says.
A second official is speaking now. He says they will prioritise anyone who needs medical help. Then they will pass around details allowing us to upload pictures and video of the incident. That will save them having to seize phones, he says.
Finally, they will “triage” witnesses, he says. He says this will require patience.
People in other buildings are going through the same process.
He asks anyone with medical needs to make themselves available.
In about half an hour they will pass round information about how to submit evidence, he says.
