A police officer walks past a fire truck at Liverpool Women’s Hospital in Liverpool, England, on Monday. One person died and another was injured after a device exploded in a taxi outside the hospital on Sunday.
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A police officer walks past a fire truck at Liverpool Women’s Hospital in Liverpool, England, on Monday. One person died and another was injured after a device exploded in a taxi outside the hospital on Sunday.
Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
The police are investigating a deadly car explosion in the British city of Liverpool was a terrorist incident, British authorities said on Monday.
They have also arrested a fourth person in connection with Sunday’s explosion in which one person died and another was injured after an explosive device was detonated in a taxi outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Police later Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, died in the explosion.
“Although, the motive for this incident is still not fully understood, in all circumstances it has been declared a terrorist incident and Counter-Terrorism Policy is continuing to investigate,” said Assistant Chief of Staff. Constable Russ Jackson, head of counterterrorism policy in the northwest, said. English, speaking in a statement on Monday.
According to police, a local taxi driver picked up a male passenger in the Rutland area of Liverpool shortly before 11am local time on Sunday. Passengers requested to be taken to Liverpool Women’s Hospital, about 10 minutes away.
Liverpool Women’s Hospital specializes in women’s and newborns’ health, and The National Health Service describes it is the largest women’s hospital of its kind in Europe.
“As the taxi approached the drop-off point at the hospital, an explosion occurred from inside the vehicle, which quickly engulfed it in flames,” authorities said.
Emergency crews put out the fire and found the passenger in the car dead. The taxi driver managed to escape and was later released from the hospital after being treated for his injuries.
Taxi driver hailed as a hero
The taxi driver has received praise from local and national leaders for his behaviour.
Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson told BBC Radio 4’s Today that he got out of the taxi and locked the door before the explosion, although the BBC reports that Jackson has not confirmed that account.
“The taxi driver, with his heroic efforts, managed to divert what could have been an absolutely horrible disaster at the hospital,” Anderson said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also told reporters on Monday that the driver appeared to have acted with “an astonishing presence of mind and fortitude.”
The motive is still unclear
Investigators’ assumption, Jackson said, is that the improvised explosive device was put in the taxi and made by the passenger, but they still don’t know why he took it to Women’s Hospital or why. due to its sudden explosion.
The motive behind the explosion is unclear in what year. Police noted that Remembrance Day events were taking place at a church near the hospital and said it was one of the investigations they were pursuing.
“We believe we know the identity of the passenger but are unable to confirm this at this time,” they added.
Police arrested four men and searched two addresses
Jackson said the investigation led police to two addresses, both in the Kensington area of Liverpool.
Police arrested three men aged 21, 26 and 29 at one of those locations on Sunday on terrorism-related charges. A 20-year-old man was later arrested in the same area. They will be interviewed by authorities on Monday.
Authorities are also looking at both addresses, Jackson added. At the second location, police found “important items” that Jackson said would require further searching Monday and perhaps the coming days. Eight families were evacuated from that address.
“Our inquiries will continue to seek to find out how the device was built, the engine that caused the problem, and find out if anyone else was involved in it,” Jackson said. .
Hospitals open with safety restrictions
Meanwhile, hospital officials on Monday said patients are no longer being redirected to other hospitals, and they have provided list of safety precautions They are continuing to investigate.
For example, they are restricting access until further notice, increasing on-site police presence, restricting access to the building through one entrance and requiring visitors to park in areas Nominated.
This story originally appeared on NS Morning version live blogs.
