Terror bleeds London: Minute-by-minute details of how the horror unfolded

We bring you in detail how the terror attack happened and emergency services at work in London.

By Oneindia Staff Writer

| Updated: Thursday, March 23, 2017, 9:42 [IST]

The world is in shock as terror hit in the heart of London on Wednesday. According to latest reports, five people were killed and about 40 injured in the terror attack after a car ploughed into pedestrians and a suspected Islamist-inspired attacker stabbed a policeman close to Britain's parliament.

The terror attack unfolded in front of daily commuters, tourists and security officials in two prime locations of central London-- Westminster Bridge and Houses of Parliament. The eyewitnesses recalled the incident with vivid details.

An eyewitness Jayne Wilkinson told media persons, "We were taking photos of Big Ben and we saw all the people running towards us, and then there was an Asian guy in about his 40s carrying a knife about seven or eight inches long.

"And then there were three shots fired, and then we crossed the road and looked over. The man was on the floor with blood.

"He had a lightweight jacket on, dark trousers and a shirt. He was running through those gates, towards Parliament, and the police were chasing him."

One more account of an eyewitness. "I just saw a car go out of control and just go into pedestrians on the bridge," said Bernadette Kerrigan, who had been on a tour bus on the bridge, in an interview with Sky News.

"As we were going across the bridge, we saw people lying on the floor, they were obviously injured. I saw about 10 people maybe. And then the emergency services started to arrive. Everyone was just running everywhere."

This is how the entire terror episode unfolded...

Emergency declared in London

Emergency services on Westminister Bridge after a policeman was stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers, and in a separate incident a car drove into a pedestrian on nearby Westminster Bridge, in a major security incident near to the Houses of Parliament in London.

Picture credit: PTI

This is how London immediately reacted

An air ambulance on the scene after gunfire was heard close to the Houses of Parliament, London.

Picture credit: PTI

Security personnel at work

Armed police officers entered the Houses of Parliament in London after the House of Commons sitting was suspended as witnesses reported sounds like gunfire outside.

Picture credit: PTI

Security personnel take control of the situation

Emergency services work at the scene of a crashed car close to the Houses of Parliament, London.

Picture credit: PTI

London comes to a standstill

In this image taken from video, police officers gather around a car adjacent to Houses of Parliament in London.

Picture credit: PTI

Chaos at terror site

As police officials investigated the incident, instructions were issued to keep commuters away from the terror sites.

Picture credit: PTI

Medical aid for the victims

Conservative Member of Parliament Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to an injured person outside the Houses of Parliament, London.

Picture credit: PTI