London gets back to business after terror attack

The usual bustle of life returned to London on Monday less than 36 hours after an attack by Islamist terrorists left seven people dead and 48 others injured, 21 of them with critical injuries.

London gets back to business after terror attack
Life is returning to normal in London just 36 hours after three Islamist terrorists left seven people dead and 48 injured after an attack on London Bridge and Borough Market.

Attackers shot dead within eight minutes

The three attackers originally mowed down pedestrians on London Bridge in a van on Saturday night before going on a knife-wielding rampage in nearby Borough Market, an area whose restaurants and bars are popular both with both Londoners and visitors. The attackers were all shot dead by police within eight minutes of the first emergency call.An admission of responsibility was made by the so-called Islamic State group, just as it did 12 days earlier when a suicide bomber killed 22, mainly young people at the end of a pop concert in Manchester.

Victims from many nationalities

The nationality of the London victims reflected the global nature of the UK capital. Among the victims were expats and visitors from Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Spain and New Zealand.The first fatality to be named was Christine Archibald, 30, who had moved from her home in British Columbia to work in London to be with her fiance, Tyler Ferguson. She died in Mr Ferguson's arms after being struck by the van on the bridge.Ms Archibald's family said in a statement, “We grieve the loss of our beautiful, loving daughter and sister. She had room in her heart for everyone and believed strongly that every person was to be valued and respected.“She lived this belief, working in a shelter for the homeless until she moved to Europe to be with her fiance. She would have had no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death. Please honour her by making your community a better place.”

United in fighting terrorism

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “heartbroken” to learn of Ms Archibald's death as he applauded the UK for its strength and resilience in the face of adversity. “These hateful acts do not deter us; they only strengthen our resolve,” he said.“Canadians stand united with the British people. We will continue to work together with the United Kingdom and all our allies to fight terrorism and bring perpetrators to justice.”The Daily Mirror also reported on Monday that Oliver Dowling, 32, from Christchurch, New Zealand, was in an induced coma after surgery for knife injuries to his face, neck and stomach.Two Australians were also known to have suffered stab wounds to the neck and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said there were “very real concerns” over the fate of two other Australians believed to have been caught up in the attacks.And Jean-Yves Le Drian, France's foreign minister, said one French citizen – understood to be working in a bar in Borough Market – had died in the attack, while seven other French citizens were taken to hospital, four of whom remained in a critical state on Monday.One Spanish citizen was injured, the embassy in London said, but was not in a life-threatening condition. Germany's interior ministry revealed that two German nationals were also injured, one seriously.

Unanimous condemnation

World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, voiced unanimous condemnation of the attacks. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, “Today we are united across borders in horror and mourning, but also in determination. For Germany, I reiterate that in the fight against all forms of terrorism, we are resolutely at Britain's side.”French President Emmanuel Macron said, “In the face of this new tragedy, France is more than ever at Britain's side. My thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones.”He added that, after this “new abominable, cowardly attack on our free societies”, France was determined to “continue to fight terrorism with all its powers, alongside the United Kingdom and all affected countries”.Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online DirectoryClick to get to the Relocate Global Online Directory  Get access to our free Global Mobility Toolkit Global Mobility Toolkit download factsheets resource centre

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