Police labeled the explosion in Parsons Green underground station in west London a terror incident. 29 people were injured when the bomb exploded at 8:20 AM on Friday during the morning rush-hour.
“This was a detonation of an improvised explosive device,” Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley of the Metropolitan Police said at a news conference. Police sources said the device, hidden in a bucket and a shopping bag, was detonated by a timer but only partially exploded.
#parsonsgreen pic.twitter.com/0OUV819EtE
— Sylvain Pennec (@sylvainpennec) September 15, 2017
The prime minister initially said the threat level would remain at severe but later raised it to critical, indicating that a further attack may be imminent.
US President Donald Trump responded to Friday’s attack by tweeting, “Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!”
Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017
He then tweeted, “Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner.The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off and use better!”
Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner.The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said the city “utterly condemns the hideous individuals who attempt to use terror to harm us and destroy our way of life”.
Police arrested an 18-year old man as he was boarding a ferry at the Port of Dover, about 75 miles from London, at approximately 7:50 AM local time and raided an address in Surrey under section 41 of the Terrorism Act.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amag News Agency.
35 people have been killed in five separate terror attacks in Britain since March.
