BREAKING: All King’s campuses on lock-down

Some students were evacuated from restaurants


At 10:08 last night, reports came in of a major police incident at London Bridge. A white van went off the road and hit several pedestrians killing 7 people and injuring an additional 48, some believed to be suffering life-threatening injuries.

Metropolitan police have confirmed that the three suspects were shot and killed in Borough Market. This is the third attack on London in the space of three months.

It has been reported that injured people were taken to Guy’s chapel and King’s has confirmed that all university buildings (campuses and halls of residence) were immediately placed in lock down.

Students who were trying to get home to Great Dover Street were not allowed.

Guy’s Chaplin Jim Craig posted that there was access into the chapel is closed:

For those of you wanting access to Guy's Campus, King's College London, the only access today is via Newcomen St. The…

Posted by Jim Craig on Sunday, June 4, 2017

In a statement updated today, KCLSU said:

“Following Saturday night’s incident at London Bridge, everyone in KCLSU spaces at Guy’s campus is safe, but our spaces won’t be open on Sunday.

“King’s College London have confirmed that campuses and Halls will only be accessible by main entrances and security passes must be shown.”

All King’s buildings will remain locked until tomorrow morning.

First year international relations student Ellie Fishleigh was having dinner with her mum in Tito’s Restaurant when they noticed a man in a blood-stained shirt sat on the doorstep surrounded by other people.

ACCOUNT OF LONDON BRIDGE TERROR ATTACK 03.06.2017 FROM INSIDE TITO'S PERUVIAN RESTAURANT, OFF BOROUGH HIGH…

Posted by Ellie Fishleigh on Sunday, June 4, 2017

Speaking to The Tab, first year Freddie Price said:

“The proximity of where I work to the bridge (London grind is the first building off the bridge) we were the first to see the bodies across the bridge other than pedestrians on the bridge. I didn’t see the van and I believe it stopped a building along from us.

“We were originally told there was an incident by members of the public but we knew nothing else. We were later told there was an attack and so we locked the doors of the restaurant and began quickly closing down the restaurant. We could hear screams and people running past London grind. We were told to get down several times by police and members of the public.

“About 5 to 10 minutes later with total silence in the restaurant (apart from many people crying and panicking), we were told to evacuate as quickly as possible which is when we were told there was a suicide vest on the attacker(s). we then ran fast across the bridge to just outside bank station where a lot of people were crying injured and distressed, I could see people covered in blood and bandages. It was terrible.”

First year Comp Lit student Esme Jones told us she was at Nando’s when they had to be evacuated:
“My student accommodation is London bridge I was in the Nandos in borough with two friends from home when we were told there had been a shooting and we were put on lockdown.
 
“We had to turn off all the lights and go to the back of the building and sit on the floor and because everyone was panicking and no one knew what was happening there were loads of rumours going of a mass shooting and people were ringing their families almost to say goodbye.”
In a statement, Principal Ed Byrne said: “We’ve put in place enhanced security precautions across all our campuses for your own safety, and these will remain in place until the relevant authorities advise otherwise.”
Update (16:20): A spokesperson of Kings has contacted the Tab to say “staff and students can still access campuses and residences provided they show their King’s ID passes. This is likely to continue until tomorrow and more updates will be provided.”
“The Metropolitan Police has set up dedicated hotlines for anyone concerned about friends or relatives in the area. We offer a number of support services for both students and staff who may have been affected, and encourage people to look at the intranet for information on these.”
“Our security teams will continue to work with the Cross-sector Safety & Security Communications (CSSC) hub linked with the Metropolitan Police Service, prioritising the safety of staff and students.”