London attack: Three killed and 20 injured in British Parliament carnage

Atleast three people died and 20 were injured when an attacker rammed a car into crowds of people before stabbing a police officer in the grounds of the UK Parliament in
London.

The assault, which came on the one-year anniversary of the ISIS bomb attacks in Brussels, brought carnage to Westminster, the heart of
political life in Britain.

A police officer was among the three killed, police said, announcing a "full counter-terrorism investigation." The assailant was shot dead by
police.

Prime Minister Theresa May described the attack as "sick and depraved," saying that attempts to
defeat the values Parliament represents through violence would be "doomed to failure."

"The location of this attack was no accident. The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital
city, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech," she said.

Parliament was placed on lockdown and lawmakers were forced to remain in the main debating chamber of the House of Commons as firearms officers rushed to the scene outside.

Pictures showed scenes of carnage in the aftermath of the attack, which happened as Parliament was in session. One member of the
British government gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to one of those injured.

"This is a day that we had planned for,  that we all hoped would never happen, but sadly it is now a reality," said Mark Rowley, Britain's most
senior counter-terror police officer.

Incident began near Westminster
Bridge. The area around Westminster was teeming with
people when the attack began at around 2.40pm.

Witnesses said the attacker drove his car over Westminster Bridge and into the crowds. The vehicle hit a large number of people including
three police officers.

"The car then crashed near to Parliament and at least one man  armed with a knife continued
the attack, trying to enter Parliament," said Rowley, the national lead for Counter-Terrorism
Policing. He said three people and the attacker were killed. One of those who died was a woman, and another was a police officer defending
Parliament from the attack, he said.
Proceedings in the House of Commons were suspended with dozens of MPs locked inside.

Police put the Westminster area on lockdown, securing roads, Parliament buildings and the
Westminster underground station.

The zone was soon expanded to a larger part of central London,
including the London Eye ferris wheel, which was halted for hours with people still on it. They have
since been let off.

The London Ambulance Service treated at least 10 patients on Westminster Bridge.

In the chaos, a woman was pulled from the River Thames alive, but with serious injuries.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones and to everyone who has been affected," he said, paying tribute to the emergency services.

He announced the deployment of additional armed officers on the streets of the British capital. "We
stand together in the face of those who would seek to harm us and destroy our way of life," he
added. "Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism."

Police appealed for anyone with photos or video of the incident to contact them.

Prime Minister Theresa May called a meeting of COBRA, the UK's emergency Cabinet committee.

US President Donald Trump spoke with May on the phone after learning of the attack, White House
spokesman Sean Spicer said.

Mark Toner, acting spokesperson for the US State Department, said officials were closely following
the situation.
"Our hearts go out to those affected. We stand ready to assist in any way the UK authorities would find helpful," he said.

See photos.