East London is experiencing severe traffic disruptions after two key Thames crossings—Tower Bridge and Blackwall Tunnel—were closed.

Tower Bridge was shut down after a man climbed onto the railings of the iconic structure. Witnesses shared images on social media showing him sitting atop the railings earlier this morning. Emergency services are currently at the scene, but there is no indication that the incident is related to any form of protest. This follows a separate event over the weekend when a man carrying a Palestinian flag scaled Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower and remained there for over 16 hours before being arrested.

Simultaneously, Blackwall Tunnel has been closed due to a lorry crash that occurred around 8:30 AM during peak rush hour. Hours later, the eastbound tunnel remains shut, leading to long traffic delays. Major congestion has been reported on the A12 from Hackney as drivers struggle with diversions.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the lorry collided with part of the tunnel structure, but there have been no reported injuries. Officers responded to the incident around 8:50 AM, and efforts to clear the scene are ongoing.