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Two arrested over racist pipe bomb attacks in Londonderry | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two men, aged 40 and 32, have been arrested in connection with two racist pipe bomb attacks in Londonderry. | |
The devices, which were packed with nails, were used to target two houses occupied by Romanian families in the Waterside area on Saturday. | |
Nine people, including at least one child, escaped injury when the devices exploded outside their homes in Lapwing Way and Lincoln Court. | |
Police believe the attack are linked and are treating them as hate crimes. | |
On Saturday, police said four adults and a child were in a house at Lapwing Way when a device exploded at 01:30 GMT. | |
At about the same time, a second pipe bomb exploded at Lincoln Court. Four adults who were inside were not hurt. | At about the same time, a second pipe bomb exploded at Lincoln Court. Four adults who were inside were not hurt. |
Local DUP councillor Drew Thompson said a letterbox had been blown off the door of the property in Lincoln Court. | |
"One family said to me they heard a bang at about 01:30 GMT 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 house at Lapwing Way was not damaged. | The house at Lapwing Way was not damaged. |
Mr Thompson said both families were very distressed by the attacks. | 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." | "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. | 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. | |
"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." |