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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Small explosion in Cathedral Quarter in Belfast | Small explosion in Cathedral Quarter in Belfast |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| There has been a small explosion in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, police have said. | There has been a small explosion in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, police have said. |
| Police have confirmed it was caused by a bomb. A warning had been phoned to a Belfast newspaper and the bomb exploded at about 18:45 GMT as the reports were being checked. | |
| There are no reports of injuries. A security alert is continuing. | |
| The Cathedral Quarter is one of the main entertainment venues in Belfast, home to several bars and restaurants. | The Cathedral Quarter is one of the main entertainment venues in Belfast, home to several bars and restaurants. |
| An eyewitness, Paul Simms from Bangor, told the BBC: "I was going to see a Christmas play with my wife, 10 year-old twins and my parents at the MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre). | |
| "There was a police cordon set up across the road. | |
| I had just crossed the road to speak to a policeman by the cordon when there was a bright flash and loud bang about 40 metres away - behind a car parked beside the theatre. | |
| "Needless to say my kids were scared and we were all quite shocked. | |
| "Being typical Northern Ireland, most people just stood around hoping they could get to where they were going. Many had been evacuated from the bars and pubs in the area and were still full of the Christmas spirit." | |
| Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly condemned the attack. | |
| "This indiscriminate and reckless action was an attack on all the people of Belfast and those that had come into the city centre to shop or enjoy the build up to the festive holidays," he said. | |
| "Thankfully no one was hurt. Those that voice support for these groups, who's only allegiance is to violence, need to come forward and explain to the people what they aim to achieve by this reckless action." | |
| Assembly member Basil McCrea, leader of the NI21 party, tweeted: "Caught in bomb scare at St. Anne's Square. Part explosion. Christmas festivities in Cathedral quarter continue." | |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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