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| Security tight after two bombs explode in Londonderry | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A massive security operation is under way in Londonderry following two explosions in the city. | A massive security operation is under way in Londonderry following two explosions in the city. |
| The bombs exploded at Strand Road, close to the DHSS office, and at the tourist centre in Foyle Street, within 10 minutes of each other. | |
| There are no reports of any injuries. Homes and businesses in both areas were evacuated following two telephone bomb warnings. | |
| Police described the attacks as "reckless". | Police described the attacks as "reckless". |
| Officers had half an hour to clear the area before the bombs went off shortly after 20:00 GMT on Thursday. | |
| The BBC understands that the PSNI received a warning through a third party. | The BBC understands that the PSNI received a warning through a third party. |
| The PSNI District Commander in Derry, Superintendent Stephen Martin, said the attacks were "cowardly and callous". | |
| "Thankfully we are not dealing with mass casualties or worse this evening," he said. | "Thankfully we are not dealing with mass casualties or worse this evening," he said. |
| "The reckless acts of those who planted these devices stand in stark contrast to those of the brave officers who entered these areas to evacuate local residents and businesses. | "The reckless acts of those who planted these devices stand in stark contrast to those of the brave officers who entered these areas to evacuate local residents and businesses. |
| "The people in Derry do not want this disruption." | |
| The extent of any damage to property is not yet known. | The extent of any damage to property is not yet known. |
| A number of elderly residents had to be moved from a residential home during the police operation. | |
| One woman said she had been told there was a bomb at the bottom of the street. | |
| "We heard one (bomb) go off. It was very loud," she said. "It was getting everybody out of the place where we live. But we all got out safely enough. They sent a bus for us and took us to this hotel." | |
| Justice Minister David Ford said those behind the bomb could have killed. | |
| "The rationale for these attacks has to be challenged. Those responsible must know that violence does not bring them any closer to their stated objective," he said. | |
| Dissidents blamed | |
| Former mayor of Derry Colum Eastwood said: "This is another attack on the people of Derry by people who are enemies of the city and enemies of Ireland." | |
| Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott blamed dissident republicans for the attack. | |
| "This type of fascism was part of our past. It has no place in our future." | "This type of fascism was part of our past. It has no place in our future." |
| The area remains cordoned off. Police have warned of considerable disruption to traffic on Thursday night and for much of Friday. | The area remains cordoned off. Police have warned of considerable disruption to traffic on Thursday night and for much of Friday. |
| Last year, dissidents attacked the office used by the organisers of the UK City of Culture 2013 festivities. | Last year, dissidents attacked the office used by the organisers of the UK City of Culture 2013 festivities. |