Manhunt Launched After Police Declare Parsons Green Explosion a Terrorist Attack

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18 passengers taken to hospitals but injuries not serious or life threatening

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the senior national coordinator for CT policing, has declared this morning's explosion on the District Line at Parsons Green was a terrorist incident.

London Ambulance Service meanwhile have confirmed that 18 passengers on the train have been taken to surrounding hospitals, and thankfully, none of their injuries is serious or life-threatening.

The emergency services, including armed officers with the Met Police, British Transport Police, 50 firefighters from surrounding fire stations and London Ambulance Service were called to the scene at around 8.20am this morning, 15 September.

Pictures have emerged of a white bucket containing wires within a Lidl supermarket bag. Police have said this device did not fully detonate, and have also confirmed it contained a timer.

Mayor Sadiq Khan has confirmed that this was an improvised explosive device and also that a manhunt is now underway.

However, the explosion caused a fireball to fill the carriages on the crowded commuter train and there was panic as people tried to escape.

The injured passengers have been taken to a number of local hospitals, mostly suffering from burn injuries. Witnesses reported seeing a woman being stretchered out of the station with burns to her legs while others have suffered head and facial injuries.

This picture, taken by Merton Conservative Councillor Dan Holden (@DanHolden85) shows the scene outside the station. Dan was on the train and he tweeted from the scene: "Horror on @districtline at #ParsonsGreen due to explosion/fire. People struggling to get out of station. Lots of shell shocked people and looks like quite a few injured.

The Met Police have released a statement saying: " It is too early to confirm the cause of the fire, which will be subject to the investigation that is now underway by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.

"The station remains cordoned off and we are advising people to avoid the area.

"Anyone who has information that would assist detectives is urged to contact the hotline 0800 789 321; if it's an emergency always call 999.

" Anyone with images from the scene is asked to upload them to UK Police Image Appeal.

"We urge the public to remain calm but alert and if you have any concerns, see or hear anything suspicious then contact police."

Natasha Wills, Assistant Director of Operations at London Ambulance Service said: "We can confirm we have taken 18 patients to hospital following the incident at Parsons Green underground station.

"We were called at 8.20am today, with the first ambulance crew arriving within five minutes.

"We have sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, officers and our Hazardous Area Response Team.

"We are working closely with our colleagues from the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police and London Fire Brigade at the scene; ensuring patients receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.

"As we are very busy dealing with this incident, we would ask the public to only call us in a genuine emergency."

The emergency services remain on the scene along with the police helicopter hovering above. The District line between Earls Court and Wimbledon has been suspended, and roads around the underground station on Parsons Green Lane have been closed.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

We will bring you more news as we receive it.

September 15, 2017

 

September 15, 2017