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Two viable explosive devices found in Londonderry Two viable explosive devices found in Londonderry
(about 1 hour later)
Two bombs have been discovered during an overnight security alert in Londonderry, the police have confirmed.Two bombs have been discovered during an overnight security alert in Londonderry, the police have confirmed.
They were found close to Derry City Council's offices on Strand Road. A number of nearby houses were evacuated.They were found close to Derry City Council's offices on Strand Road. A number of nearby houses were evacuated.
The bombs have been made safe by Army bomb disposal experts and residents have been allowed to return home.The bombs have been made safe by Army bomb disposal experts and residents have been allowed to return home.
Meanwhile, there is also a security alert in County Armagh. The Markethill Road has been closed between Markethill and Newtownhamilton. A separate alert on Markethill Road in County Armagh has been declared a hoax after the Army carried out a controlled explosion on an suspicious object.
There are no further details at present. The alert began on Friday morning and the road had been closed between Markethill and Newtownhamilton.
In Derry, all roads in the area have now reopened to traffic following the alert but the police operation is continuing. In Derry, all roads in the area have reopened to traffic following the alert but the police operation is continuing.
'Very frightening'
However, 200 staff at Derry City Council and 100 at Fujitsu, which has offices next door, were told not to come in to work.However, 200 staff at Derry City Council and 100 at Fujitsu, which has offices next door, were told not to come in to work.
The alarm was raised shortly after 23:00 BST on Thursday when a suspicious object was found during a routine patrol by the Foyle Search and Rescue team.The alarm was raised shortly after 23:00 BST on Thursday when a suspicious object was found during a routine patrol by the Foyle Search and Rescue team.
The chairman of Foyle Search and Rescue, Craig Smyth, said a female member of his staff found a holdall bag near a fence at the back of the council offices. The charity is staffed by volunteers who patrol the River Foyle and its banks in an effort to promote safety on the waterway.
He said she called police after she opened the bag. The chairman of Foyle Search and Rescue, Craig Smyth, said a member of his staff found a holdall bag near a fence at the back of the council offices.
"One of the female volunteers opened the bag. It was like a normal rucksack sitting at the side of the river."One of the female volunteers opened the bag. It was like a normal rucksack sitting at the side of the river.
"She saw a metal pipe like device inside."She saw a metal pipe like device inside.
"She set down the bag and walked away and knew not to reach into it."She set down the bag and walked away and knew not to reach into it.
"It was very frightening for her," he said. "It was very frightening for her," Mr Smyth said.
"There were three people standing around the bag, all of them could have been killed.""There were three people standing around the bag, all of them could have been killed."
The woman then called the police.
SDLP MLA for Foyle, Mark H Durkan, said the discovery by the seach and rescue volunteer "could actually have cost them their lives while they're out trying to save others".SDLP MLA for Foyle, Mark H Durkan, said the discovery by the seach and rescue volunteer "could actually have cost them their lives while they're out trying to save others".
He said PSNI officers had told him that one of the devices was found at the back of the building while the other was discovered within the council office parameters. He said PSNI officers had told him that one of the devices was found at the back of the building while the other was discovered within the council office grounds.
A security cordon was lifted shortly after 07:00 BST on Friday but forensic officers are still at the scene.A security cordon was lifted shortly after 07:00 BST on Friday but forensic officers are still at the scene.
Pedestrian access to the river walk at the rear of the council offices is restricted as the police operation continues.Pedestrian access to the river walk at the rear of the council offices is restricted as the police operation continues.