An American woman is pronounced dead at the scene following an attack most likely "triggered by mental health issues".
A
19-year-old Norwegian believed to have mental health issues is in
custody after a deadly knife attack that left one dead and five injured
in central London.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said it appeared terrorism was not a motive in the Russell Square attack.
He said: "Whilst the investigation is not yet complete, all of the work we have done so far increasingly points to this tragic incident having been triggered by mental health issues."
Mr Rowley described it as a "spontaneous attack and the victims were selected at random".
Police were called to reports of an armed man attacking people at 10.33pm on Wednesday.
The suspect, who is of Somali descent, was arrested on suspicion of murder six minutes later after being taken out by a Taser.
:: Live Updates As They Happened: Extra Police On Streets After Attack
An unnamed woman in her 60s, now confirmed as an American national, was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later.
The other victims - two women and three men - were from the UK, Israel, the US and Australia.
Two remain in hospital but their injuries are not life threatening.
Police have interviewed the suspect, spoken to his family, talked to
witnesses and searched properties in north and south London, including
the 19-year-old's home.
Mr Rowley said "so far we have found no evidence of radicalisation".
As a precautionary measure Mr Rowley said extra police would be deployed in London on Thursday to provide reassurance.
:: Tourists Battled To Save Victim
Speaking to Sky News, London Mayor Sadiq Khan praised the quick police response to the incident, adding: "London is no less safe today than it has been in the recent past."
He said: "London is safe. The police have been working their socks off since the first call was made to the police.
"There is no evidence at all that this man was motivated as a consequence of Daesh or similar sorts ... of groups.
"It does appear to be somebody who had mental mental health problems, according to the police."
A cyclist passing Russell Square shortly after the stabbing was flagged down by a Spanish family helping the victims.
Fernando, from Brazil, saw a woman in her 60s with a stab wound to her back.
He told Sky News: "She had her head in a Spanish woman's lap, the lady, who was trying to keep her alive by talking to her."
Fernando also saw an Englishman aged about 45 with an injury to his side and a woman in her 20s with a wound on her upper arm.
"The lady from the Spanish family told me that the guy had passed by, running, stabbing people," he said.
"They said he had been wearing black shorts and a white t-shirt and was chubby.
"Apparently he wasn't shouting anything."
:: Analysis: Attack Fuels Public Fear
Pol O'Geibheannigh was walking back from the cinema when he saw a woman lying in a pool of blood.
He told Sky News: "It was just wall to wall with armed police. You could see a woman on the floor.
"She was lying in a pool of blood with a red blanket on top of her. I went into the bar and it wasn't until an hour later that they put the tent up."
As morning broke officials were seen removing a body bag from the area.
Tommaso Greco, 26, who works in Pret opposite the scene, said: "I am a little bit worried, for sure. Because it could happen to anyone. They were just in the middle of the street. And here, generally, there are a lot of people. It is a tourist area."
He added that staff at the shop had initially been told that it would not open today, but that later changed.
Anyone with information about the Russell Square attack is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
He said: "Whilst the investigation is not yet complete, all of the work we have done so far increasingly points to this tragic incident having been triggered by mental health issues."
Mr Rowley described it as a "spontaneous attack and the victims were selected at random".
A body is removed from the scene in Russell Square
The suspect, who is of Somali descent, was arrested on suspicion of murder six minutes later after being taken out by a Taser.
:: Live Updates As They Happened: Extra Police On Streets After Attack
An unnamed woman in her 60s, now confirmed as an American national, was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later.
The other victims - two women and three men - were from the UK, Israel, the US and Australia.
Two remain in hospital but their injuries are not life threatening.
Video:
'Body Covered With A Red Blanket'
Mr Rowley said "so far we have found no evidence of radicalisation".
As a precautionary measure Mr Rowley said extra police would be deployed in London on Thursday to provide reassurance.
:: Tourists Battled To Save Victim
Speaking to Sky News, London Mayor Sadiq Khan praised the quick police response to the incident, adding: "London is no less safe today than it has been in the recent past."
He said: "London is safe. The police have been working their socks off since the first call was made to the police.
"There is no evidence at all that this man was motivated as a consequence of Daesh or similar sorts ... of groups.
Video:
Tourist Saw Russell Square Attack
A cyclist passing Russell Square shortly after the stabbing was flagged down by a Spanish family helping the victims.
Fernando, from Brazil, saw a woman in her 60s with a stab wound to her back.
He told Sky News: "She had her head in a Spanish woman's lap, the lady, who was trying to keep her alive by talking to her."
Fernando also saw an Englishman aged about 45 with an injury to his side and a woman in her 20s with a wound on her upper arm.
"The lady from the Spanish family told me that the guy had passed by, running, stabbing people," he said.
Police officers and sniffer dogs outside King's Cross station in London
"Apparently he wasn't shouting anything."
:: Analysis: Attack Fuels Public Fear
Pol O'Geibheannigh was walking back from the cinema when he saw a woman lying in a pool of blood.
He told Sky News: "It was just wall to wall with armed police. You could see a woman on the floor.
"She was lying in a pool of blood with a red blanket on top of her. I went into the bar and it wasn't until an hour later that they put the tent up."
Police at the scene of the attack
Tommaso Greco, 26, who works in Pret opposite the scene, said: "I am a little bit worried, for sure. Because it could happen to anyone. They were just in the middle of the street. And here, generally, there are a lot of people. It is a tourist area."
He added that staff at the shop had initially been told that it would not open today, but that later changed.
Anyone with information about the Russell Square attack is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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