UK counter-terrorism police have arrested three men believed to be involved in the car explosion outside a hospital in Liverpool. The explosion has killed at least one person and injured another.
Police operations are ongoing, and there is a heavy police presence near the blast site. Three male suspects, aged 29, 26, and 21, have been detained in the city's Kensington district under the Terrorism Act in connection to the car explosion outside the Liverpool Women's Hospital on Remembrance Sunday.
Preliminary reports indicated that the passenger of the car, reportedly a taxi, was declared dead at the scene. The male driver managed to survive the blast and was taken to a nearby hospital. The driver is reportedly in stable condition. The identities of the two men have not yet been made public.
The Counter-Terrorism Police North West said they are still keeping an open mind about the cause of the explosion, and they are working with other enforcement agencies on their investigation. Police said the vehicle had pulled up at the hospital shortly before it exploded.
The incident has not yet been declared a terrorist attack. Merseyside Police said it might take some time before they can ascertain the cause of the explosion. They said it is still too early to speculate and to confirm possible motives.
"It is also important that, at this very early stage, people do not speculate about what has happened. We will endeavor to update our communities as soon as we are able," Police said.
More Images.#Liverpool #Explosion pic.twitter.com/o7TZfTdoaS — Saikiran Kannan (@saikirankannan) November 14, 2021
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan said the fire had engulfed the vehicle when his colleagues arrived, and the driver had managed to exit the vehicle before it spread. Firefighters doused the fire in minutes before noticing that there was a body inside.
Armed police rushed on numerous terraced houses on Sutcliffe Street on Sunday afternoon after the explosion, making the three arrests.
As investigations continue, sections of Sutcliffe Street and Boaler Street remain blocked off this morning, with a large police presence in the area. In the early hours of the morning, a convoy of seven unmarked vehicles - three vans and four automobiles - entered the area.
Visitors are being limited until further notice at Liverpool Women's Hospital, with patients being moved to other facilities. Police have told the public to remain calm but vigilant.
Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson said on social media that she was upset and unsettled after hearing about the explosion. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his condolences to the family of the victim. Johnson also thanks to the emergency responders for their quick action and professionalism.
