The Canadian victim of Saturday night’s terrorist attack in London has been identified as Christine Archibald, a 30-year-old woman from British Columbia.

“We grieve the loss of our beautiful, loving daughter and sister,” her family said in a written statement Sunday.

“She had room in her heart for everyone and believed strongly that every person was to be valued and respected.”

The family, from Castlegar, B.C., said Archibald worked at a homeless shelter before she moved to Europe to be with her fiancé.

“She would have had no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death,” the statement said.

“Please honour her by making your community a better place. Volunteer your time and labour or donate to a homeless shelter. Tell them Chrissy sent you.”

Family spokesperson Patrick Audet told CTV News that Archibald was “a beautiful woman in the prime of her life.”

The Calgary Alpha House Society, where Archibald had worked, said its employees were “devastated” by her death.

“Chrissy was a bright light to many, and her generosity, kind spirit and huge heart for her work in responding to issues of addictions and homelessness at the centre inspired us all,” the society said in a Facebook post.

Earlier Sunday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that a Canadian citizen was killed in the terrorist attack.

“Canada strongly condemns the senseless attack that took place last night in London,” Trudeau said in a statement.

“I am heartbroken that a Canadian is among those killed.”

The attack started at roughly 10 p.m. local time when a van plowed into pedestrians on the London Bridge. Three suspects then fled the scene and attacked people with large knives in nearby Borough Market, a lively area filled with restaurants and bars. Within minutes, the three were shot dead by police. In total, seven people were killed and 48 were injured in the attack.

“Londoners and people across the United Kingdom have always displayed strength and resilience in the face of adversity,” Trudeau added in his statement. “We recently witnessed this after the attacks in Manchester and in the Westminster area of London. This time will be no different.”

B.C. Premier Christy Clark also condemned the attacks in a statement on Sunday. She said her thoughts and those of all British Columbians are with Archibald’s friends and family.

“The individuals who carry out these acts of hate want to change us. They want to sow fear and division. Ultimately, they want us to turn on each other. They will never succeed,” Clark said in the statement. “As her family and province mourn, we must never forget who we are, and the diversity that makes us strong.”

Archibald received a diploma for social work from Mount Royal University in 2015. The school’s president said she was a “truly outstanding student” who was killed in a “horrific act of violence.”

‘Volleys of gunshots’

A short distance from the London Bridge, where Archibald died, David and Jacky Dixon from Burlington, Ont. were finishing a late dinner in the Borough Market when the attack occurred.

David said a young woman burst into the eatery yelling that a man outside was stabbing people at random. A fast-acting restaurant manager moved about 35 patrons and staff to safety in an upstairs store room, where they stayed for more than an hour.

“We were so lucky that we were taken up the stairs at that point. Any one of us in there could have been (hurt),” Jacky told CTV News.

“The restaurant where we were was definitely a target.” David said. “We heard three volleys of gunshots at different times. That was very disturbing.”

The Dixons said they were eventually told by police to run away from the area with their hands on their heads.

“As we were leaving the restaurant, my wife saw at least one if not two of the bodies on the ground,” David said. “They were . . . shot outside the restaurant where we were.”

The Canadian government is urging travellers to stay away from the scene of the attack.

“If you are in London, remain vigilant, avoid the affected areas, follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media,” a message reads on the government’s Travel Advice and Advisories webpage.

Canada strongly condemns the senseless attack that took place last night in London, United Kingdom: https://t.co/wv4v91E4dj — CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) June 4, 2017

With files from The Canadian Press