News / Society

6 injured after car runs over Muslim crowd in UK

Sunday, 25 June 2017 10:35 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 25 June 2017 12:13 PM ]

Police officers guard a vehicle after its driver ran over people attending a Muslim celebration, New Castle, June 25, 2017. (Photo by North News)

At least six people have been wounded after a car ran ploughed into a large crowd of people marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan in New Castle.

The incident took place on Sunday morning, when hundreds of people had gathered outside the Westgate Sports Centre to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

At least three children were among the injured. An eight-year-old boy was reportedly in critical condition.

Northumbria Police said they had arrested a 42-year-old woman and that the incident did not appear to be terror-related.

Medics attend the injured after a car ran over people attending a Muslim celebration, New Castle, June 25, 2017. (Photo from social media)

"Police inquiries are ongoing to establish exactly what happened but, at this time, it is not believed to be a terror incident,” said a spokesman.

Newcastle Central Mosque said in a statement that the car “collided with pedestrians” as they started to leave the event.

According to witnesses, the mayor had also attended the ceremony a bit earlier.

"I was at a car park when I heard screaming so I ran towards the community college just a couple of minutes from me,” a witness told BBC.

Police officers guard a vehicle after its driver ran over people attending a Muslim celebration, New Castle, June 25, 2017. (Photo by North News)

"When I went over I saw that there was a very young teenager covered in blood; another very young teenager also looked injured,” he added.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesman said the incident caused panic and made it difficult for rescue teams to take action.

Last week, a driver ploughed into a group of worshipers outside a mosque in the Finsbury Park area of north London, killing one person and injuring 10 others.

Before being apprehended by police, the driver was heard shouting, “I want to kill Muslims,” a witness said.

Police said Friday that the driver, Darren Osborne, was charged with terrorism-related murder and attempted murder.

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