A bomb planted on a bus in Northern Ireland which police say was capable of causing death or serious injury has been blamed on dissident republicans.
A masked man boarded the vehicle and ordered the driver to take the viable explosive device to the main police station in Derry-Londonderry.
The alert began at about 6.15pm on Wednesday in the Ballymagroarty area.
The bomb, which was concealed inside a holdall and had a two-hour timer, was placed directly behind the driver's seat.
Up to 10 passengers on board at the time were ordered off.
The city's police chief, Superintendent Stephen Cargin, said: "This was a reckless attack on the community.
"To be prepared to put a bomb on a public bus, to put the lives of the driver and the passengers at risk and in the knowledge that it had to be driven through a built-up area is totally mindless."
The would-be bomber was dressed in a black jacket and used a black scarf and hood to hide his identity. Supt Cargin said he claimed to have been from the IRA.
"We believe this was one of the dissident groups," he said.
The female driver was able to abandon the bus in a place of safety in the Northlands area and raise the alarm. She has been left extremely distressed by the ordeal.
Supt Cargin said she should be praised for her bravery.
In the past, dissident extremists opposed to the peace process have forced taxi drivers to transport bombs, but it is understood this is the first time a public transport worker has been targeted.
Ciaran Rogan, from Translink which operates the network, insisted services would not be affected.
Stormont transport minister Danny Kennedy condemned those responsible.
He said: "Attacks on public transport impact the entire community who depend on buses and trains to get to work, school, hospital and go about their daily business."
About 70 families from 40 houses were evacuated while Army bomb disposal teams worked to make the device safe.
The alert ended at about 3.30am on Thursday, when residents were allowed to return home.
Supt Cargin said: "So many people had to be evacuated and were put a serious inconvenience for over nine hours.
"You have to question what these people were trying to achieve."
Strand Road PSNI station has been the target of a number of bomb attempts, including thwarted mortar attacks in March and October.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Northern Ireland Bus Bomb Blamed On Dissidents
Dengan url
http://yojanganmenyerah.blogspot.com/2013/11/northern-ireland-bus-bomb-blamed-on.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Northern Ireland Bus Bomb Blamed On Dissidents
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Northern Ireland Bus Bomb Blamed On Dissidents
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar