Man stabbed outside British Museum in random attack; suspect arrested

Police evacuated visitors from the British Museum Tuesday morning after a man was stabbed near London’s renowned landmark.

A suspect was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous body harm following the knife attack, which occurred around 10 a.m. local time at the intersection of Russell Street and Museum Street, where visitors typically wait in line to enter the popular attraction.

The victim, described by a witness as a “tourist,” was knifed in the arm and was taken to a major trauma center “as a priority” after receiving first aid at the scene, according to London Ambulance Service.

There was no immediate word on the victim’s condition.

The British Museum was evacuated and remained temporarily closed.

“This was an isolated incident and there is no outstanding risk to the public,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. “It is not being treated as terror-related.”

According to an eyewitness speaking to the news outlet LBC, he saw a man with a “large knife appearing angry” and “talking to himself” before the attack.

The witness said he was standing in the queue with his girlfriend and a friend when he “saw a man taking a big knife or a machete from is bag, with very angry face expression. And [he] started punching a young man near him.”

A 27-year-old visitor from New York told the agency PA News that she was about to enter the line at the British Museum when she was told to leave by the police because someone had been stabbed.

“A cop directly in front of us told us we needed to leave and that the crime scene was large,” she said. “I heard that someone was stabbed and the ambulance was parked inside, near the grass area, and then rushed down the street, right by me, with police following behind.”

A police tent has been erected on the pavement just steps away from the museum, and the scene was expected to remain in place for much of the day.

Founded in 1753, the British Museum is one of the UK’s most visited museums, drawing more than four million guests last year.