This Caribbean Nation Checks In On Its Diaspora Amid London Terror Attack

Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman was stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images)

By NAN Contributor

News Americas, LONDON, England, Thurs. Mar. 23, 2017: At least one Caribbean nation has jumped into high gear, checking in on its Diaspora nationals in the UK on the heels of reports of a terror attack in London.

Trinidad & Tobago’s Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs said yesterday afternoon it is liaising with its High Commission in London, to ensure that all nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who are in the city are safe and aware of the measures implemented by the Government of the United Kingdom in response to Wednesday’s terror incident.

The Westminister, London terror attack took place at approximately 14:40 hours on Wednesday, March, 22, leaving five dead including Police Officer Keith Palmer who had 15 yrs service and the knife-wielding gunman. Some 40 others were injured, some gravely, according to the Metropolitan Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Rowley.

The area around the United Kingdom Parliament and the Parliament itself was locked down for hours.

London police have yet to release details on the attacker but Rowley last evening said: “”Our investigation is continuing and is moving at a fast pace this evening – we will work through the night.”

T&T, however, reported that all its members of staff of the High Commission are reported safe and security measures have been implemented to ensure their continued protection.

The High Commission, meanwhile, has notified T&T nationals within the UK Diaspora who are registered with the High Commission and will continue conducting routine checks, a ministry statement said late yesterday.

British counter-terrorism police officers carry their weapons as they work on Westminster Bridge, adjacent to the Houses of Parliament in central London on March 22, 2017, during an emergency incident. British police shot a suspected attacker outside the Houses of Parliament in London on Wednesday after an officer was stabbed in what police said was a ‘terrorist’ incident. One woman has died and others have ‘catastrophic’ injuries following a suspected terror attack outside the British parliament, local media reported on Wednesday citing a junior doctor. (Photo credit: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)

The High Commission, for its part encouraged all its nationals to be vigilant and to adhere to the advertised security measures. Nationals have also been advised that they may contact the Mission in the event of any emergency.

London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement that “Londoners should be aware that there will be additional armed and unarmed police officers on our streets from tonight in order to keep Londoners and all those visiting our city safe” while UK Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The terrorists chose to strike at the heart of our Capital City, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.”