liverpool hospital incident

A bomb disposal unit and fire engines attended the scene, which remains cordoned off. The health secretary, Sajid Javid, paid tribute to NHS staff at Liverpool Womens hospital who were affected by the explosion outside the building. Our enquiries will now continue to seek to understand how the device was built, the motivation for the incident and to understand if anyone else was involved in it'. Police were also seen at Boaler Street in the Kensington area of the city. 15 November 2021 Liverpool hospital blast Carl Bessant Pictures of a burning car outside the hospital have been widely shared on social media By Sue Paz & Doug Faulkner BBC News Three men. Read about our approach to external linking. It's shocking. "Our police and emergency services are working hard to establish what happened and it is right they are given the time and space to do so," she added. The first three arrests took place in Sutcliffe Street, where witnesses reported seeing armed officers swoop on a terrace house on Sunday afternoon. If he locked him in, David appears to have stopped the man targeting the hospital as the clock struck 11am. BBC News correspondent Ed Thomas said Al Swealmeen was a refugee from Syria who was befriended and supported by Malcolm and Elizabeth Hitchcott, who knew him as Enzo, when he arrived in the UK. Similar guidance is being sent to staff at hundreds of hospitals in England but NHS England stressed this is standard procedure when the UK's terror threat level is raised. ", Security minister Damian Hinds told BBC Breakfast: "There's always the possibility that further links can be detected. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also told reporters on Monday that the driver appeared to have acted with "incredible presence of mind and bravery.". Pictures of a burning car outside the hospital have been widely shared on social media, Police officers at an address in Rutland Avenue, Specialist officers were seen on the street, Police, fire and bomb disposal crews were at the scene of the blast which remains cordoned off, Raids have been carried out by armed police near Sefton Park, and also in the Kensington area of the city, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said the police response would be ongoing "for some time". Locals said armed police ordered residents to leave and head to a nearby leisure centre, saying the area 'wasn't safe' and were 'pointing guns at a house'. Asked why he thought Al Swealmeen converted to Christianity, Mr Hitchcott said: 'A lot of asylum seekers do not see much in Islam [for them].'. Girl, 7, attacked by 'XL bully' dog as she played in park Jack Wright For Mailonline Liverpool Women's Hospital receives about 50,000 patients annually and is the largest hospital in its specialism in Europe. So far we understand that the car involved was a taxi which pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred. Days later the devout couple, both 77, offered to put up the then-destitute Al Swealmeen in their home rent-free as he had nowhere else to live. A taxi carrying one passenger pulled up just before 11:00 GMT on Remembrance Sunday, as a national two minutes' silence was due to begin, and exploded. Police declare the car explosion outside Liverpool Women's Hospital on Sunday to be a terrorist incident. Officers descended on an area outside the Royal Liverpool University Hospital at 22:20 GMT on Wednesday due to concerns for the safety of a man. A bomb disposal unit and fire engines attended the scene earlier, which remains cordoned off. Police said he had recently rented an address in Rutland Avenue, near Sefton Park in the city, which has also been searched by officers. She said: I should just conclude my remarks by saying that our security and intelligence services prevent all sorts of acts, day in, day out. We continue to appeal for any information about this incident and now that we have released his name any information that the public may have about Al Swealmeen no matter how small may be of great assistance to us.. However, investigators will still be hoping to gain a better understanding of what exactly lay behind this incident. Alongside that, I want to give my personal thanks and the thanks of the government to our emergency services, and the police in particular. Apart from when he invited us to a Christmas carol concert in December 2017 at the Williamson Tunnels. Id say about an hour and a half later, a man came out of the property that they were pointing the guns at, he said. It is understood the 32-year-old suspect was an asylum seeker who converted to Christianity in 2017. People sometimes talk about lone wolves and so on - people are rarely totally alone because they talk to others and so on. That street also remains cordoned off. Meanwhile, hospital officials on Monday said patients are no longer being diverted to other hospitals, and they provided a list of safety precautions they are taking as the investigation continues. Heres the full text of Johnsons brief comments on the terrorist incident in Liverpool at the coronavirus press conference, which has now ended: I have just chaired a meeting of the governments emergency COBR committee following the sickening attack outside Liverpool Womens hospital yesterday. Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson, who asked the urgent question in the Commons, said there had been an increase in hate crime against Muslims in Liverpool following Sunday's incident. The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre sets the threat level based on intelligence about international terrorism at home and overseas. What is WeChat and why does Elon Musk want to copy it? A taxi burst into flames outside the Liverpool Womens hospital at 10.59am on Remembrance Sunday in dramatic scenes that were captured on video. Phil Garrigan, the chief fire officer of Merseyside fire and rescue service, said the car fire was fully developed when two appliances arrived shortly after 11am. Mr Johnson said: 'It does look as though the taxi driver in question did behave with incredible presence of mind and bravery.'. The decision to declare this a terrorist incident looks less to be based on a clear understanding of his ideology and more on his methodology, with the use of an improvised explosive device. Searches have been proceeding with extreme caution due to the 'challenging environment', sources said. We believe he lived at the Sutcliffe Street address for some time and had recently rented the Rutland Avenue address. Witness Frances Evans said police officers formed a human shield around a black van, which was driven in to the middle of the park before she saw a puff of smoke. SHARE. Ive been in touch with the chief constable, other emergency service workers as well, and our armed forces whove been part of the operational work thats on the ground. Liverpool explosion: Police cordons remain in place after three arrested under Terrorism Act over fatal car blast outside hospital. Mr Jackson added, as is the reason for the sudden explosion, which has now been declared as a terrorist incident. Liverpool explosion latest: New pictures of suspect; investigation Here are the main things weve learned today about the Liverpool attack. The operation appears to have ended at around 3.30am and the cordon remains in place. 'He was fairly private but very industrious,' she added. The chief constable of Merseyside police, Serena Kennedy, later offered her reassurance over the incident. The little girl was rushed to hospital with bite marks on her legs and a cut to her head. and Three men have been arrested in connection to a car explosion that killed a man outsideLiverpoolWomens Hospital, counter-terrorism police confirmed. Three men aged 21, 26 and 29 were arrested on Sunday under the Terrorism Act, while a fourth man aged 20 was arrested on Monday. That signifies that the bomb was composed not of a high explosive such as TNT but of a hydrocarbon substance, most likely gasoline.'. By 11.30pm on Sunday, eight families living in the next-door addresses were evacuated. Read about our approach to external linking. They think he built the explosive device in the taxi, but they are uncertain as to a motive or why the Liverpool Womens hospital was chosen. The South Korean soldiers left to plot escape from the North, Why it's getting easier to be a single mum in China. ', Mother-of-one Emily Makefield, 32, said: 'I was walking nearby when I heard a bang and saw the smoke. The passenger asked to be taken to Liverpool Women's Hospital, about 10 minutes away. While Mr Hitchcott hadn't seen Al Swealmeen for several years, his wife bumped into him two years ago in the town centre. The police activity reduced at 3.30am but the street remains cordoned off; MI5 are helping police in the north-west with an Islamist terror attack among the scenarios being investigated; One theory police are probing is that the detonators on a potential bomb exploded but not the main charge. Remembrance 'terror plot': three arrested after fatal explosion at The forward has missed the Reds' last two games due to a toe injury sustained ahead of the trip to Leicester City, but returned to full training before the clash with Southampton. A fire crew was on standby nearby but most armed officers had reportedly left by 3am, witnesses said. But in recent years he may have converted to Christianity and also suffered from mental health issues. The vehicle on fire outside the hospital. Experts tell MailOnline that the bomb was probably not a high explosive such as TNT but of a hydrocarbon substance, most likely petrol. Home Secretary Priti Patel cancelled a planned trip to Paris to discuss the Channel migrant crisis so she could be briefed on the Liverpool bombing. The driver, named locally as David Perry, managed to escape from the car. 'But his behaviour changed ever so slightly towards the end of the period he lived with us. 'The investigation continues to move at a fast pace with investigative teams working throughout the night. ACC Jackson said: "We have made significant progress since Sunday morning and have a much greater understanding of the component parts of the device, how they were obtained and how the parts are likely to have been assembled.". Their guest left on good terms after eight months. Asked at the press conference how concerned the public should be about the elevated terror threat level, Boris Johnson said that simply reflects the number of attacks weve seen in the last few weeks and months. 'One person has died and another person was treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries, before being taken to hospital.'. Sometimes the components don't operate in order or when desired. "We were so close and she was feeding the baby when it happened. In a statement, the hospital said: We are reviewing our patient activity for the next 24-48 hours and patients should wait to be contacted for updates about any planned appointments or other attendance at the hospital. Friends of Mr Perry believe the target may have been the city's nearby Service of Remembrance at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, where 1,200 military personnel, veterans and families of the fallen had gathered less than a mile from the hospital. ACC Jackson said: "Following interviews with the arrested men, we are satisfied with the accounts they have provided and they have been released from police custody. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing the taxi in a fireball. Otherwise we were on the best of terms with him. They were led by armed officers into a car. Video, 00:01:37, The moment taxi explodes outside Liverpool hospital, The Oppenheimer dilemma: H-bomb vs A-bomb. Football news and gossip column: Jurgen Klopp says he has chosen Liverpools new captain following Jordan Hendersons departure He said he would keep in touch but I didn't hear any more.'. How have you been affected by the Liverpool explosion? David Videcette, a former 7/7 counter-terror detective at Scotland Yard, tweeted: 'Any type of explosion in a confined space is devastating, here it blows out the windows and sends the entire windscreen into the sky. Inter 's Champions League match with Liverpool at Anfield was halted for several minutes due to a medical emergency in the crowd. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. She said: 'The police pounded on my door and an officer said 'we need to get you out of the house as soon as possible'. 3pm: After raising the UK terror threat level to 'severe', speaking at a press conference at Downing Street, the Prime Minister said the blast was a 'stark reminder' to the public to remain vigilant, adding: 'What yesterday showed above all is that the British people will never be cowed by terrorism, we will never give in to those who seek to divide us with senseless acts of violence. and Detective chief inspector Andrew Meeks said: Our inquiries are very much ongoing but at this stage we strongly believe that the deceased is 32-year-old Emad al Swealmeen. He said in the years before the attack Al Swealmeen had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act for about six months because of his behaviour with a knife. A cordon has been placed around the scene and inquiries are ongoing. Liverpool bomb: Four freed as suspect killed in blast named I know that he had a brother who lived in Dubai and often spent time between there and Iraq. The . Bomb squad carry out controlled explosion close to house raided in Poppy Day blast probe as UK terror threat is raised to severe and it emerges 'suicide bomber was from Middle East and UNKNOWN to MI5', Wife of Poppy Day blast cabbie says it is an 'utter miracle' he survived and he's 'extremely sore' after escaping with cuts and bruises - as bomb experts say failed detonation may have saved him, Labour frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth apologises for sending condolences to Liverpool suicide bomber's family saying he thought a member of the public had died instead. Police negotiators are on the scene, a fire crew is on standby, and a number of residents have been evacuated. Liverpool Women's Hospital said visiting access had been restricted until further notice and patients had been diverted to other hospitals where possible. 1pm: Officers, who are believed to have spoken to hero taxi driver David Perry, announce the incident is being treated as an act of terrorism. Detectives from Counter Terrorism Police North West continue to keep an open mind about the cause of the explosion and are working closely with colleagues at Merseyside Police as the investigation continues at pace.. Almeni, a failed asylum seeker with Syrian and Iraqi heritage who changed his name by deed poll from Emad Jamil Al Swealmeen to sound more Western, fled the Middle East several years ago and converted from Islam to Christianity in 2017 at the cathedral it is believed he wanted to attack. Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth told Sky News of his horror at the explosion outside Liverpool Women's Hospital when he made the embarrassing gaffe. By using this site, you agree we can set and use cookies. The 32-year-old was a passenger in a taxi when his device blew up . Liverpool hospital explosion: Motivation for car blast not clear - BBC The couple described their 'shock' thatAlmeni - a 'very quiet fellow' - would try to commit an act of terror, telling ITV News they lived'cheek by jowl' when he stayed with them at their home and that there was 'never any suggestion of anything amiss'. The fact that he's blown himself up in a taxi in a terrorist attack has really shocked me. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. The cathedral lost contact with him in 2018, he said. There is still disruption at Liverpool Women's Hospital and people in the area are shocked by what happened, ITV News Reporter Hannah Miller explains. "Where possible, we have diverted patients to other hospitals until further notice," she added. The latter is said to have spotted the explosives, 'jumped' from the car and locked the other man inside. There is a live investigation taking place right now. Liverpool Women's Hospital specializes in the health of women and babies, and the National Health Service describes it as the largest women's hospital of its kind in Europe. Local residents said they had not seen anybody coming or going from the property for some weeks - they thought it was unoccupied. The site was originally thought to have been the target of his failed Remembrance Day plot. The threat to Britain from terrorism was raised to severe on Monday meaning that an attack is deemed highly likely. Jackson said the investigation has led police to two addresses, both in the Kensington area of Liverpool. Police said that following discussions with bomb disposal officers the explosion was being treated as the ignition of an explosive device. Enzo used to send him money. Liverpool hospital explosion taxi driver 'locked bomber inside car One person died and another was injured after a device exploded in a taxi outside the hospital on Sunday. Taxis and at least two minibuses arrived to take the residents to alternative accommodation. Britain's interior minister, Home Secretary Priti Patel, decried the "awful incident". Counter Terrorism Police North West said: "We are leading the investigation with support from Merseyside Police, and are keeping an open mind as to what has caused the explosion. He said: "It is likely to be some time, perhaps many weeks, until we are confident on our understanding of what has taken place", adding that police have "considerable resources and staff deployed to understand how this device was built and who, if anyone, else was involved". They have shown the utmost professionalism in the most difficult of circumstances, and my thoughts, and I know the thoughts of the whole house, are with them and anyone that has been affected.. Shortly before 10pm Ryan O'Neill tweeted that armed police 'pointing guns at the house' gave him five minutes to pack and leave Boaler Street with his partner and children. They have also been invited to attend a free 'action counters terrorism' course. In a statement, Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that an incident occurred at around 11am today outside Liverpool Women's Hospital. Home Secretary Priti Patel also tweeted she was "being kept regularly updated on the awful incident". Mr Perry was hailed a 'hero', with well-wishers donating more than 50,000 to help replace his cab. Merseyside Police said there were reports of an explosion after a taxi pulled up at. Cordons remained in place on Sunday evening, alongside some road closures. In a later statement, police said they had made "significant progress" since Sunday and had a "much greater understanding of the component parts of the device, how they were obtained and how the parts are likely to have been assembled". We have also recovered important evidence from the address at Rutland Avenue which is becoming central to the investigation. A car explosion outside Liverpool Women's Hospital left witnesses visibly distressed, ITV News Reporter Hannah Miller reports. One person has died and another has been injured in a car explosion and fire outside a hospital in Liverpool. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Unfortunately, we can confirm that one person has died and another has been taken to hospital where he is being treated for his injuries, which thankfully are not life threatening, Merseyside police said. 'Obviously we pay our respects and send our condolences to the family of the man who lost his life. Read about our approach to external linking. The improvised explosive device had been manufactured and the assumption is that it was built by the deceased passenger, according to early police findings, and while the motive is unclear one line of inquiry is a possible link with remembrance events taking place on Sunday. Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Meeks of Counter Terrorism Police North West said: 'Our enquiries are very much ongoing but at this stage we strongly believe that the deceased is 32-year-old Emad Al Swealmeen. The fare, a man, asked to be taken to the Liverpool Womens hospital, which was about 10 minutes away. Terror threat level 'severe' after Liverpool blast, The moment taxi explodes outside Liverpool hospital. What is WeChat and why does Elon Musk want to copy it? Police did not confirm that account. At this stage, neighbours did not see much sign of police activity. One person died and another was injured after a device exploded in a taxi outside the hospital on Sunday. He said it could take weeks to establish how the incident was planned and prepared. A police officer walks past a fire engine at Liverpool Women's Hospital in Liverpool, England, on Monday. The Prime Minister has praised the taxi driver caught up in the Liverpool explosion for acting with 'incredible presence of mind and bravery'. One local resident described the man at the centre of the case as a 'foreigner' who had only moved in about two or three weeks ago and had lived alone. 'Improvised Explosive Devices have various components, with each having to operate in the correct order, at a desired point, for there to be an explosion. Investigators have 'attributed' the bomber to both the addresses but police are not yet sure where he lived, and last night at 9.45pm anti-terror officers forced their way into the front and back of the Sutcliffe Street house as they tried to establish if he was a lone wolf or part of a cell. Police have been working on establishing the identity of the deceased man, and any associations that might shed light on the explosion. 'Absolutely shocking that that would happen anywhere, but particularly outside a women's maternity hospital,' he told the broadcaster.