BOMB EXPLODES AT DERRY HOTEL
An explosion has taken place at a Derry hotel after a masked man placed a device its reception area at around 11.15pm last night.
Over 30 guests and staff at the Everglades Hotel at Prehen in the Waterside area of the city had been evacuated and the device, believed to have been in a bag, exploded while army bomb disposal experts were working to make it safe.
No one was injured in the explosion but the reception was extensively damaged.
A car found burned out in the Foyle Road on the cityside a short time later is believed to be linked to the incident.
A PSNI spokesperson praised the action of the hotel staff and police officers in quickly evacuating the hotel, and said they had “undoubtedly prevented a tragedy.”
Hotel guests were moved to alternative accommodation in the city.
Victoria Road is open to traffic but motorists are advised to expect delays.
The incident has been widely condemned.
Derry SDLP described it as “most worrying.”
He added: “Thankfully, no one was injured, well done to the staff for their courageous work.
“Those responsible for this inexcusable attack need to come forward and explain their actions.”
The explosion occurred week after the election to the first ever Strabane-Derry “Super Council.”
