'Black Friday' shopping turns into panic
Izza Izelan
November 24, 2017 02:57 MYT
November 24, 2017 02:57 MYT
Immediate actions were taken to ensure the safety of the people, with authorities involved. - REUTERS/Darren Staples
City-dwellers and weekenders were shocked when they heard gunshots being fired at London's shopping district, Oxford Street on Friday.
Panicked shoppers scatter for safety on one of the busiest times of the year -- the 'Black Friday' weekend and 'Cyber Monday'.
The London Fire Brigade were called to the Oxford Circus underground station at 4:43 local time, where three fire engines and 15 firefighters rushed to the scene.
Immediate actions were taken to ensure the safety of the people, with authorities involved.
According to the Metropolitan Police UK, suspects have not yet been located nor there were any evidence of shots been fired or casualties reported.
The British Transport Police (BTP) have ordered the public to avoid the Oxford Street and Regent Street.
Some underground stations were closed to avoid overcrowding, including Oxford Circus station and the Bond Street station nearby.
However, they were later reopened and all trains are stopping normally.
An unnamed witness reported that the buses heading out of the area were packed as people pushed their way in to leave the area as soon as possible, as some trains have temporarily terminated their services.
Other witnesses claimed to have ran into a nearby store to take cover, as people leave their shopping bags after panicking.
The authorities worked swiftly to ensure that all transportations continue to operate smoothly for everyone's convenience.
Investigations into the incidence are still underway.
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#Bond Street
#Cyber Monday
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#London
#Oxford Circus
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#shopping district
#UK police