Sept. 15 (UPI) — London police began a manhunt after an explosion Friday aboard a crowded London subway car in what police say is a terror-related attack.
The explosion occurred as a train left Parsons Green station in southwest London during the morning rush hour.
The attack is being investigated as a terrorist-related incident, London Metropolitan Police said.
Government officials raised the terror threat level in England from “severe” to “critical,” which means an attack is “expected imminently.” The last time the threat level was raised to critical was the day after the Manchester terror bombing in May.
A major manhunt for the bomber was launched, police said, requesting information from any witnesses or other sources. Police have not made any arrests and the attacker remains at large.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed a manhunt is underway but did not specify if a particular suspect is sought. Although reports have claimed police are pursuing a suspect based on images from CCTV at the scene, Scotland Yard told The Standard that “there’s no truth to that.”
Passengers on the train said a wall of fire erupted aboard one car.
Several passengers were burned and dozens hurried to leave the train and get out of harm’s way. At least 29 people were injured, with NHS England reporting 21 still in the hospital by late Friday.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Marc Rowley said an improvised explosive device is suspected to have caused the blast. He also said streets in the area of the subway station have been cordoned off, and British counterintelligence agency MI5 is involved in the investigation.
The incident prompted panic in the subway, disrupted schedules and drew a quick and heavy response from rescue workers and armed police. Emergency responders were on the scene within minutes, Rowley said.
The attack drew swift condemnation from U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Another attack in London by a loser terrorist,” he tweeted early Friday. “These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!”
“The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!” he added in another post.
Friday’s was the fifth terrorism-related attack in London this year. The previous four killed 36 people, and police said six other significant plots, soon to be prosecuted, were thwarted before they occurred.
