Man killed and two injured in London market stabbing

Police forensics at the scene of a triple stabbing at a busy market in East Street, south London (The Independent)
Police forensics at the scene of a triple stabbing at a busy market in East Street, south London (The Independent)

A man has died after three people were stabbed at a busy London market.

The Metropolitan Police have arrested a man in his 60s following the knife attack at East Street Market, off Walworth Road in south London at 10:40am.

One man died at the scene while a man and a woman were taken to hospital for treatment. Police said they were waiting for an update on their conditions.

The attack is not being treated as terrorism, police said, adding that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

A local who witnessed the aftermath of the stabbing said the ordeal was “terrifying”.

The 46-year-old father was walking through the market when he saw police cars and ambulances going past. He followed them and found two injured people lying on the ground.

“It was terrifying,” he said, adding he felt lucky the victims were not him or his children.

Traders appeared to have abandoned their stalls at the popular market as detectives investigate the triple stabbing (The Independent)
Traders appeared to have abandoned their stalls at the popular market as detectives investigate the triple stabbing (The Independent)

Commander Peter Stevens said: “Tragically, a man lost his life this morning, and officers are working hard to establish exactly what happened and to provide support to his family. My thoughts and sincere sympathies are with them, and with the other people injured.

“Our investigation is at a very early stage. One man was rapidly arrested by officers responding to the incident. At present, although enquiries are ongoing, nobody else is sought.

“The incident is not being treated as terrorism. Enquiries continue, led by dedicated detectives from Specialist Crime.

“I want to thank those people who have already shared their accounts of what they saw with police. I urge anyone with information or footage, or any witnesses yet to speak with police, to get in touch.”

Police forensics at the scene of the knife attack in East Street, south London (The Independent)
Police forensics at the scene of the knife attack in East Street, south London (The Independent)

The street remained cordoned off by police on Sunday afternoon as police forensic teams were seen scouring the scene.

Traders appeared to have abandoned their stalls at the popular market as detectives investigated the triple stabbing.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called today at 10:39am to reports of a stabbing in East Street, SE17.

“We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, members of our tactical response unit, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer, and London’s air ambulance.

“We treated three people and took two of them to a London Major trauma centre. Sadly, despite our best efforts, one person was pronounced dead at the scene.”

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