PHOTOS FROM THE SCENE OF THE LONDON ATTACKS

LONDON – Seven people were killed and 48 injured last night in a terrorist attack on London Bridge and nearby Borough Market in the nation’s capital.

The area was packed with revellers and tourists enjoying a warm summer night at the neighbourhood’s many restaurants and bars.

At 10.08 p.m., one of the most busy times at the food and entertainment centre, a white rented Hertz van careened across the bridge, running over pedestrians. At the Borough Market end, three men got out and began slashing and stabbing people at random.

Scroll down for some of the most dramatic and heart-breaking images from the scene last night. ↓↓↓

It began at 10.08pm as a white van careened over London Bridge, hitting pedestrians. Three men got out at Borough Market and began stabbing people with long knives. People fled the area.

Within minutes a police armed response unit was on the scene.

They set up a perimeter around the pubs and restaurants in Borough Market.

Police in high-viz jackets, anti-stab vests and riot shields took up positions.

They ordered scared witnesses to run — not walk — from the area with their hands on their heads to distinguish them from the attackers.

Civilians were moved from street to street and block to block as police increased the size of the security zone around the attack.

Thousands were moved from the area.

The entire incident only took 8 minutes.

Police shot dead three men in a barrage of gunfire, ending the incident.

Off duty officers also responded to the scene.

Restaurant and bar workers were forced into their kitchens, away from the windows, before being evacuated.

Restaurant hosts switched off their lights and stoves to avoid catching the attention of the attackers.

The general election campaign has been suspended for one day.

The entire London Bridge-Borough Market area remains a no-go zone this morning.

There was a heavy armed police presence on the streets of London this morning.

Police inspected dozens of restaurants looking for scared civilians. Some people remain trapped in the frozen zone, although they are not in danger.

Police continue to help people to safety. They are controlling access to what is an ongoing, under-investigation crime scene.