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Londonderry pipe bomb attacks treated as hate crimes Londonderry: Romanian families targeted with pipe bombs
(2 days later)
Nine people have escaped injury after two pipe bombs exploded outside houses in Londonderry overnight. Two Romanian families were targeted in pipe bomb attacks in Londonderry at the weekend.
Four adults and a child were in a house in Lapwing Way in the Waterside area of the city when a device exploded shortly after 01:30 GMT. Police are treating the attacks at two separate houses in the Waterside area as hate crimes.
At about the same time, a second pipe bomb detonated at a house in Lincoln Court, damaging the front door. Four adults who were inside were not hurt. Nine people escaped injury. Four adults and a child were in a house at Lapwing Way when a device exploded at 01:30 GMT.
Police said the attacks are linked and are being treated as hate crimes. At about the same time, a second pipe bomb exploded at Lincoln Court . Four adults who were inside were not hurt.
Army bomb disposal officers were called to the properties after police received reports of loud bangs in both areas. Police believe the attacks are linked. Army bomb disposal officers were called after loud bangs were heard in both areas.
Local DUP councillor Drew Thompson told the BBC a letter box had been blown off the door of one of the houses. Local DUP councillor Drew Thompson said a letter-box had been blown off the door of one of the houses at Lincoln Court.
"One family said to me they heard a bang at about half past one and they ran out, not thinking. "One family said to me they heard a bang at about 01:30 GMT and they ran out, not thinking.
"They couldn't see anything, but it was only later on that they realised that there had been a partial explosion," he told BBC Radio Ulster."They couldn't see anything, but it was only later on that they realised that there had been a partial explosion," he told BBC Radio Ulster.
The councillor, who has visited the areas, said the pipe bombs did not appear to have caused any major damage. The house at Lapwing Way was not damaged.
Mr Thompson said both families were very distressed by the attacks.
"They don't want to talk too much," he said. "There has been a heightening of tension in the area. Residents are concerned that this should happen in their area."
He urged anyone with information about the attacks to contact the police.
Pat Ramsey, the SDLP MLA for Foyle. said: "It appears that this appalling attack on homes in Derry was racially motivated, this is a very disturbing development.Pat Ramsey, the SDLP MLA for Foyle. said: "It appears that this appalling attack on homes in Derry was racially motivated, this is a very disturbing development.
"The devices used were viable and this disgraceful attack must be condemned by all in our community.""The devices used were viable and this disgraceful attack must be condemned by all in our community."
A police spokesman said the remains of the devices have been taken away for forensic examination. A police spokesman said the remains of the devices had been taken away for forensic examination.
They have appealed for anyone with information about the attacks to contact them.They have appealed for anyone with information about the attacks to contact them.