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Bomba a East Belfast: il ferito è una guardia carceraria

Belfast bomb explosion injures prison officer: Device planted under van

A bomb has exploded in east Belfast this morning – injuring a prison officer and another man who was in a van with him.

The device detonated under the vehicle on Hillsborough Drive off the Woodstock Road – causing a loud explosion.

Both victims have been taken to hospital and their injuries are understood to be serious but not life-threatening at this stage.

Police have confirmed one of the men is a 52-year-old serving prison officer.

It is understood he was driving the van when the device detonated. Detectives are examining whether the bomb dislodged from the vehicle as it was going over a speed bump.

The finger of suspicion will point at dissident republicans opposed to the Northern Ireland peace process.

The road is closed where the Woodstock Road meets the Cregagh Road and emergency services are at the scene.

A number of houses in Hillsborough Drive are being evacuated and an emergency centre has been opened up at the Salvation Army on the Cregagh Road.

A large cordon has been put up around the scene with several streets closed off. Part of a twisted bumper can be seen lying at the side of the road.

Among the families making their way to school and people walking to work there was a real sense of shock.

One shop worker waiting to gain permission to open up said he had heard a “massive” bang at about 7.20am.

“I didn’t know what it was but it was huge,” said the man who declined to be named.

Superintendent Darrin Jones said; “At this time we believe a device has exploded under a vehicle.

“The incident was reported to police at 7.10am this morning Friday 4 March.

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said they received the call at 7.10 to reports of a large bang.

Two ambulance crews were sent and two patients were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster condemned the incident.

“Disgraceful and despicable attack in east Belfast,” she said.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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