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Mood in London ‘mildy tense but calm’, overseas Singaporeans say

SINGAPORE — When news first broke that a car had hit pedestrians on London’s Westminster Bridge on Wednesday afternoon, Singaporean Alfieyah Abdullah thought it was just a bad traffic accident, until it turned into a trail of terror and she started getting phone text messages from people she knew who were concerned about her safety.

Armed police officers standing guard near the Houses of Parliament in London, on March 23, 2017. Photo: AP

Armed police officers standing guard near the Houses of Parliament in London, on March 23, 2017. Photo: AP

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SINGAPORE — When news first broke that a car had hit pedestrians on London’s Westminster Bridge on Wednesday afternoon, Singaporean Alfieyah Abdullah thought it was just a bad traffic accident, until it turned into a trail of terror and she started getting phone text messages from people she knew who were concerned about her safety.

Ms Alfieyah, 23, a private-university student on a work-study exchange programme in London, told TODAY that she was working in the Chalk Farm district, which is 30 minutes away by train from Westminster Bridge, when the horrific attack took place.

“At first it seemed like just a car accident ... but then … (it looked like) someone tried to ‘hijack’ Parliament. The police in London aren’t known to use violence, but gunshots were fired, and people died.”

She and her colleagues watched live reports on news channels and social media, and she soon realised that “it was serious”.

Ms Alfieyah began to get messages and emails from family, friends and professors asking if she was safe. As the news sank in, what went through her head was that she would “not take safety and security for granted” and would be more vigilant.

In a press statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that there had been no reports of Singaporeans directly affected by or injured in the incident. The ministry and the Singapore High Commission in London had reached out to Singaporeans who were e-registered in London.

The MFA advised Singaporeans there to keep in touch with their family and friends to let them know they are safe.

Singaporeans in London told TODAY that there are more security personnel in the city, but they noticed that life goes on for Londoners, many of whom are determined to take the attack in their stride and let normalcy return to the city.

Describing the situation as “mildly tense, but calm” with no panic or distress, management consultant Anwar Abdulhaqq, 28, said: “There was a visible increase in police presence on the streets, and it seems like they have hired private security to back up their force.”

Mr Darrell Lua, 26, a student who lives about five minutes away from Westminster Bridge, said that the area felt “like a ghost town” when he returned home late Wednesday night, hours after the attack. There would usually be many tourists — given the bridge’s proximity to iconic landmarks such as the Big Ben and London Eye — but the area was virtually deserted, save for reporters and security forces.

He added that he had to take a longer route back home from school because the roads leading to the bridge were shut.

Lesley Tang, 23, who is also studying in London, said that she would avoid heading to crowded tourist spots in downtown London for the time being.

While Mr Anwar said that he was worried “about the backlash” against the Muslim community, he said: “Life goes on, and I won’t be making any lifestyle changes. If we cower, we lose.”

Singaporeans who require urgent consular assistance in London should contact the Singapore High Commission at 44 (0)207 235 8315 or 44 (0)771 034 8335, or the 24-hour MFA Duty Office at +65 63798800/8855

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