London knife attack leaves one dead and five injured

One woman was killed and five other people were injured in a knife attack in Russell Square, central London.

Police were called at 10.33pm local time on Wednesday after reports of a man injuring people with a knife.

A 19-year-old man was arrested at 10.39pm after a Taser was discharged by an officer.

One of the victims, a woman in her 60s, was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The officials also said, one injured victim appears to be American.

Mental health is a "major factor" in the investigation but terrorism remains a line of inquiry, authorities said.

Mark Rowley, the Scotland Yard assistant commisioner, told reporters, "as a precautionary measure tomorrow, Londoners will wake up and in the morning they will notice increased police presence on the streets, including armed officers. This is there to provide reassurance and safety. We ask the public to remain calm, vigilant and alert."

Officials briefed on the investigation told reporters earlier that based on early evidence, investigators believe the incident ws a terror attack.

"The fact that they're even mentioning terrorism leads me to believe that some of the witnesses and some of the victims may have said that this guy may have made some statements while he was carrying out the attack," former FBI agent, Bobby Chacon said.

"The normal posture is to calm the public and say we don't have any information that it's terrorism yet."

Counterterrorism police are supporting the investigation, but not leading it, authorities said later.

The insident comes just hours after authorities announced London would increase its presence of armed police after recent terror attacks in Europe.

A police forensics tent has been erected on Southampton Row, outside the park in the center of the square, which is close to the British Museum.

There is a heavy police presence in the area and the initial cordon around the crime scene has been extended.

source:

BBC News