At least 22 people including children have been hurt after a terrorist’s bomb exploded aboard a packed London Underground train. Witnesses reported seeing a number of casualties “covered in blood”, after an explosion on a busy commuter carriage at Parsons Green Underground station, near Fulham, west London, during rush hour. While most victims suffered flash burns, others are said to have been hurt in the ensuing panic as people fled. None of the injuries are said to be life threatening. A number of hospitals declared a major incident with staff on standby.
Terror police and forensics teams are at the scene, which has been cordoned off, along with other members of the emergency services. The security service MI5 is assisting the investigation and a major manhunt is under way for the bomber. Britain’s top counter-terror officer Mark Rowley said: “We now assess this was a detonation of an improvised explosive device.” Images have emerged showing a large white bucket in flames on the floor of the carriage inside a Lidl bag with wires coming from it. Sky’s Home Affairs correspondent Mark White said: “Some key information now from security sources confirming to us that they believe there was a timer attached to this improvised explosive device meaning, of course, that whoever it was who placed this bomb on the carriage floor would not have been present at the time.
He added: “That is important as well. If there’s a timer with this device it will give them an indication that perhaps the suspect didn’t disembark the train with other panicked passengers at Parsons Green. “They’ll be looking at the stations before Parsons Green to determine whether an individual left the train at that point.” The blast comes as Britain remains on high alert after a series of terror attacks in 2017.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has appealed for calm and vowed London “will never be intimidated or defeated by terrorism”. Prime Minister Theresa May was “receiving regular updates” on the situation and was to lead a meeting of the Government’s emergency COBRA committee. US President Donald Trump tweeted: “Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!” He also said the travel ban into the US “should be far larger, tougher and more specific”. School children could be seen being evacuated on to the from a train following the incident.
Tube services on the District Line between Earls Court and Wimbledon have been suspended. Witness Luke Walmsley said people suffered hand, foot and head injuries in “the stampede” that followed the blast. He told Sky News: “It was sort of every man for himself when that happened. The burn victims had severe leg injuries and no sign of clothing, it was just torn through. It was a very busy commuter train, young and old, school children going to their schools.” Mr Walmsley added: “It was like a large match had just gone off at the end of the train. And in that instance people just started sprinting. And then smoke just started to rise as people fled.” Tube passenger Chris Wildish said he saw flames coming from the device along with “a strong smell of chemicals”.
He told Sky news he had seen a lot of people with burn injuries while others had been hurt as they tried to flee the train. Mr Wildish said: “I saw some very distressed children. Very distressed ladies and one, slightly older gentleman, had very bad burns around his face.”
Source: Sky news
