Apollo Theatre Latest: Statement From Mayor of London Boris Johnson

Following last night's ceiling collapse at the Apollo Theatre, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson has urged people to continue visiting the West End.

'This was clearly a terrifying incident for everyone involved and my thoughts are with all of those caught up in the ceiling collapse," he said. "The emergency response, in particularly confused and trying circumstances, was rapid and the co-ordination between the Metropolitan Police, the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade was exemplary. I'd also like to pay tribute to the London bus drivers who ferried the injured to hospital, the hospital staff who dealt with a large influx of patients, and the doctors and crew of the London Air Ambulance.

"This morning I spoke with senior figures from the emergency services and key agencies to assess the situation and to thank them. I would stress that although it is too early to say what caused this collapse, and whilst this was a serious incident, London's world renowned theatreland is open for business and thousands of theatre goers will rightly be out and about tonight and over the weekend. Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre have assured me that all safety checks for the West End's historic theatres are up to date but, as a precaution, further checks have already started and will continue throughout the day."

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