AN UNDER car booby-trap bomb which is believed to have fallen from a police officer’s car has exploded as Army Bomb disposal experts went to examine it.
Police say no-one was injured when the device detonated in the driveway of the officer’s home at Ardanlee in the Culmore area of Derry today.
It is understood the bomb was lying on the driveway, having fallen off the policeman’s vehicle as he drove away from home earlier in the morning.
District commander Superintendent Gordon McCalmont said at a police press conference: “Shortly after 9.30 this morning we were made aware of a suspect device of one of my colleagues in Ardanlee off the Culmore Road in the city here.
“We immediately took steps to ensure the safety of the community resulting in 12 families being evacuated from their homes.
“My colleagues in testament to them, as they were working on the suspect device, the device exploded, making it our assessment that that is a viable device left at the home of one of my colleagues.”
The police say the security alert at Ardanlee continues and cordons will be in place throughout the night and into tomorrow.
“We are working hard to restore normality to the community and thank you for your patience and your support,” a spokesperson said.
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