The British military has recovered several horses that ran away from the prestigious Household Cavalry and ran riot through London on Wednesday morning.
Some people and horses are receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident, although no further details of their condition are available.
In an emailed statement to CNN, a British military spokesperson said: “A number of military work horses broke loose during a routine exercise this morning. All horses have been recovered and returned to camp.”
One of the horses was photographed covered in blood, although the circumstances of this are not yet clear.
One of the horses was photographed covered in blood, although the circumstances of this are not yet clear. Jordan Pettitt/PA
“A number of personnel and horses were injured and are receiving appropriate medical attention.”
Six soldiers and seven horses from the Life Guards, which are part of the Household Cavalry, were on an extended exercise on Wednesday morning, the military said.
The animals were frightened when concrete broke loose from a conveyor belt used at a nearby construction site and fell to the ground, the army added.
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Five of the horses ran away, while two remained where they were.
According to the army, four of the soldiers were knocked down and three were injured. All three are being evaluated in hospital, but their lives are not believed to be in danger.
Early on Wednesday, the City of London Police – the force that oversees London’s financial district – reported the events on social media.
In a statement posted on X, the police said: “At around 8:40 a.m., we received a call about some horses that had broken loose and were running around the city.
A video showed the horses running down a street in London.
A video showed the horses running down a street in London. Reuters
“Our officers restrained two horses on the motorway near Limehouse. We are awaiting an army horse box to collect the horses and transport them for veterinary care.”
Less than an hour after it was posted, colleagues at neighbouring Westminster Police posted an update to say “all horses have been accounted for” and they were “continuing to liaise with the army”.
Shocking images emerged on social media showing two horses – one apparently covered in blood – running through Aldwych in central London.
According to PA, the frightened horses smashed the windows of a Mercedes taxi waiting outside the Clermont Hotel on Buckingham Palace Road, and one of the animals smashed the windscreen of a double-decker tour bus.
The Household Cavalry act as the king’s official bodyguard and take part in ceremonies. They are based at Hyde Park Barracks, a short distance from Buckingham Palace
