Horses run amok in central London

A number of horses are running amok in London and at least one person has been injured, with the army called in to help locate the animals, authorities in the British capital said on Wednesday.

Footage posted by social media users showed a saddled white horse seemingly covered in blood running through the street alongside another, black one.

WARNING: Video contains distressing images

Two loose horses have been seen running around central London, one of which appeared to be covered in blood.

The animals, with saddles and bridles, were seen running on the road near Aldwych.

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The Telegraph newspaper said the horses belonged to the Household Cavalry, part of the British army, and that they had run loose while exercising at Horse Guards Parade, a ceremonial parade ground in central London.

“We are aware of a number of horses that are currently loose in central London and are working with colleagues, including the Army, to locate them,” London’s Metropolitan Police said on X.

The London Ambulance Service was called at 08:25 a.m. local time (0725 GMT) to reports of a person being thrown from a horse on Buckingham Palace Road in central London, a spokesperson for the service said.

“The incident is still ongoing and we are working with our emergency services partners,” the spokesperson added.

City of London Police, the force in charge of the capital’s financial district, said officers had contained two horses and were preparing to transport them to veterinary care.