British officials and users of social networks called bystanders heroes who overpowered an assailant who killed two people and wounded three others with a knife in London on Friday.
At the time of the attack, he was wearing a vest with fake explosives, which the brave people did not know at the time.
"I want to thank our emergency services, but also the passers-by who put their lives on the line. They are the best among us. I want to thank them on behalf of all the citizens of London," said Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Several videos posted on social networks show several passers-by who threw themselves at the attacker and overpowered him. The attacker, who was wearing a fake explosive vest, was killed by a police officer.
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"Those who intervened did not know at the time that the vest on him was fake," said the mayor of London and hailed the "fearlessness and heroism of ordinary citizens."
Stevie Hurst, one of them, told the BBC that he saw people running and shouting "he attacked women with a knife" and then threw himself at the attacker.
"We did everything we could to take the knife from him so that he wouldn't hurt anyone again," explained the tour guide, who added that the attacker shouted "bomb" when the police tried to stop him before shooting him.
Social networks especially highlight the courage of one man who managed to grab a knife in the crowd and yelled at others to back off. Many people are unanimous that he deserves the medal.
The head of Scotland Yard, Cressida Dick, thanked the citizens for their courage. "That public support helps us more than you can imagine," Dick said at the press conference.
Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was "immensely indebted to the brave helpers who put themselves in harm's way to protect others".
"What an honor it is to live in a country where ordinary passers-by are so brave," said Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who sees in the example "the unity of the people that transcends divisions" ahead of the parliamentary elections on December 12.
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