But he added: "It is a stark reminder of the need for us all to remain utterly vigilant.". It's an area of the city with large Victorian houses. Bomb experts will be looking at how the device was made. A taxi carrying one passenger pulled up just before 11:00 GMT on Remembrance Sunday, as a national two minutes' silence was due to begin, and exploded. "We have seen in recent weeks two incidents declared as terrorism the murder of Sir David Amess MP in October, and then the incident we saw take place in Liverpool yesterday. This has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage although out of caution CT detectives are leading as we try to understand the circumstances behind the explosion. The passenger was declared dead at the scene and is yet to be formally identified. 10:59am: The taxi carrying al-Swealmeen explodes outside the hospital entrance. "Every year, we continue to build on our capability and enhance security arrangements against the backdrop of a consistently high level of threat, working closely with the security services and other partners. "They'll be looking at what sort of damage has been caused, trying to get an assessment of what might have caused that blast," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. The first raid happened at about 13:00 GMT on Rutland Avenue in the Sefton Park area of the city. The victim was travelling between Liverpool and Birmingham when he was attacked at about 16:00 BST on Friday, British Transport Police said. They said the region needed to draw together "to combat hatred of all forms". Health Secretary Sajid Javid paid tribute to NHS staff at Liverpool Women's Hospital who were affected by the explosion outside the building at the weekend. One possible theory is the bomber was intending to walk towards Liverpools Anglican Cathedral to detonate the device as the congregation left following a Remembrance Day service. The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents. However, it is thought Swealmeen, who was once arrested for brandishing a knife, had been on his way to Liverpool Cathedral a short distance from the hospital where hundreds, including military veterans and civic dignitaries, had gathered for a Remembrance Sunday service. A similar police cordon was in place at Rutland Avenue, where Greater Manchester Police said a small number of addresses were evacuated as a precaution. "It is a reminder to us all that the threat of terrorism hasn't gone away and how much we depend on our police and security services. The two incidents are not linked but it raises fears that terror plotters are now planning to carry out attacks now that the UK has come out of a Covid-19 lockdown. Liverpool explosion: Police cordons remain in place after three Nothing justifies this reprehensible act, and we praise the quick action of David Perry who prevented a terrorist attack, said Zara Mohammed, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said. Depuis vendredi dernier, la circulation des bus et des tramways est interrompue partir de 21 heures en le-de-France. 36 Updated Nov 15th 2021, 3:35 PM LAST UPDATE | Nov 15th 2021, 3:35 PM THE UK'S TERRORISM threat level has been raised to 'severe', meaning an attack is deemed highly likely, following yesterday's. Police said officers were "working round the clock" and vowed to make efforts to ensure the safety of the city as the festive season approaches. ", She added: "Well, we knew that the taxi driver had stood out and locked the doors, we knew that early on.". In what is being treating as a terrorist incident, a taxi exploded in flames outside Liverpool Womens hospital in the city centre, shortly before 11am on Sunday. TATP is very sensitive to detonation, Akhavan said, adding that she thought the device thought to have been made by dead suspect Emad Al Swealmeen had failed to properly explode. Liverpool hospital explosion: Taxi bomb shows signs of 'sophisticated Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. In the Commons, Mr Javid said: "This is an ongoing investigation into what has now been declared a terrorist incident by police so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to comment in any detail. We got up to the balcony and then we heard the bang and the puff of smoke. I think it would be premature to say much more than that.". "Remarkably, the taxi driver, escaped from the cab. "This incident has been formally declared as terrorism, and the investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing North West is continuing apace. There were reports - including from Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson - that the driver had locked the terrorist inside his car. Police had earlier told her family to stay indoors. Nevertheless, a fundraising page for the taxi driver and his family topped 20,000 by late on Monday afternoon. The male passenger of the car was declared dead at the scene and is yet to be formally identified. Liverpool bomb incident: Man brought explosive device into taxi, police All rights reserved. Writing on the page, she said: "I am not doing this for publicity our trade at the moment doesnt need it. "There will be those who want to use last Sunday's events to divide us and we can't allow this to happen". "Thank you also to Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service and all other emergency services and agencies who have supported the trust throughout this incident and helped to keep everyone safe. The moment taxi explodes outside Liverpool hospital. Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, of Merseyside Police, sought to reassure the public, saying events of this nature were very rare and that there would be an increased and visible police presence on the streets in the coming days. "The Sutcliffe Street address was searched overnight and further searches will take place today. The passenger of the car - a man - was declared dead at the scene and is yet to be formally identified. CCTV footage shows bomb exploding in taxi outside Liverpool - YouTube She added that despite security and police on site, services are now running "as close to normal as can be expected". "Our thanks go to him and our emergency services, and authorities have worked through the night to divert anything further and we've all been on standby and in constant contact to provide any support that's needed. VideoThe Oppenheimer dilemma: H-bomb vs A-bomb, Extraordinary photos of July's extreme weather. On Monday his wife, Rachel Perry, described the incident as an utter miracle. The Home Office regulates the supply of common explosive precursor chemicals and businesses that sell and supply those found in household products, such as hydrogen peroxide, must report suspicious transactions, losses and thefts. The emergency services have been excellent in their handling of this incident and I offer them my sincere thanks. But it is a line of inquiry which we are pursuing.. Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "I am being kept regularly updated on the awful incident at Liverpool Womens Hospital. "Our efforts can only succeed where we have the support of the public, and communities have shown time and time again that they are united in their rejection of those who wish to divide us, and spread hate in the name of extremism. Charlotte Nichols, Labour MP for Warrington North, said: "Incredibly disturbing news. Liverpool bomb attack: Police interview taxi driver | The Independent "Now, of course, that means we continue to work with our world-class security, intelligence and policing services. "Today (Monday, 15 November), the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) confirmed that the threat level from terrorism has been raised from substantial, to severe. We can confirm that at 10.59am today (Sunday, 14 November) police were called to reports of a car explosion at the Women's Hospital in Liverpool city centre. Liverpool bomb incident: Man brought explosive device into taxi, police The senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Meeks said: ''Our enquiries are very much ongoing but at this stage we strongly believe that the deceased is 32 year old Emad al-Swealmeen. He said: "It is likely to be some time, perhaps many weeks, until we are confident on our understanding of what has taken place", adding that police have "considerable resources and staff deployed to understand how this device was built and who, if anyone, else was involved". 2023 BBC. Why it's getting easier to be a single mum in China, The Texas town caught in America's border battle, The Chilean band speaking out against police violence, The Oppenheimer dilemma: H-bomb vs A-bomb. Counter-terrorism police and MI5 are concerned that the attack took place so shortly after the fatal stabbing of David Amess, the Conservative MP. Posting on Facebook, the taxi driver's wife Rachel said he was "lucky to be alive". The male passenger of the car was declared dead at the scene and is yet to be formally identified. A convoy of seven unmarked vehicles - three vans and four cars - entered the cordon in the early hours of the morning. It won't ruin lives, but it may well save them. A fourth man, aged 20, was arrested on Monday at a separate address. The driver, named locally as Dave Perry, has been widely praised for his actions, with the Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailing his 'incredible presence of mind and bravery'. The Home Office has not commented on whether it ordered him to leave the UK. What is WeChat and why does Elon Musk want to copy it? The 32-year-old was a passenger in a taxi when his device blew up shortly before 11:00 GMT on Remembrance Sunday. Liverpool hospital attacker 'built bomb' as police declare explosion She told The Telegraph that police officers formed a human shield around a black van, which was driven into the middle of the park before she saw a puff of smoke. In a statement, the hospital said: "Anyone with appointments at the hospital will notice an increased security and police presence on site.". Four men arrested in Liverpool under the Terrorism Act have been released from police custody without charge. Counter Terrorism Police North West can confirm that we are investigating a car explosion outside the Women's Hospital in Liverpool earlier today (Sunday 14 November) in which a person has died. Meanwhile, the UK terror threat level has been raised to "severe". They said they were continuing to keep an open mind about the cause of the blast and were working with Merseyside Police as the investigation continued "at pace". Mayor Joanne said: This mornings tragic incident at the Liverpool Womens Hospital has understandably caused a great deal of concern. "Following discussions with Ordinance Disposal Officers, we are able to confirm that this is being treated as the ignition of an explosive device. However, she added it was important not to get drawn into speculation about the incident. "It is an emerging situation and the home secretary is being kept briefed on it," he said. "Wishing those investigating all the very best as they work to ascertain what happened, and sending love to the family and friends of the person who was killed in the incident.". MrDowdenpraised the reported actions of the taxi driver who was injured in the blast. Fire crews and police officers wearing vests marked negotiator were seen at Rutland avenue and cordons remain in place. Liverpool City Council has urged people to stay away from the hospital on Crown Street. That would tally with the emerging thinking of investigators who increasingly believe that the hospital itself was the intended target, rather than a Remembrance Sunday parade taking place a few minutes away near Liverpools Anglican cathedral. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday afternoon in response to the terrorist attack at Liverpool Womens Hospital, Downing Street said. Police arriving at a property in Boaler Street, Armed police at an address in Liverpool after an explosion at Liverpool Women's Hospital, Police outside a Liverpool street as a counter-terror investigation continues, Car explosion outside Liverpool Women's Hospital, Parkinsons sufferer Jon Goodwin to become first Olympian in space, Germanys far-Right AfD raises spectre of Dexit, Ukraine accused as drones strike Russian ministry buildings in Moscows financial district, Thousands of pro-Russia protesters march through Niger capital in support of coup, Ukraine-Russia war live: Moscow warns it would be 'forced to use nuclear weapon' if counter-offensive successful, Prince William serves Earthshot burgers to unsuspecting food truck guests in London, The vehicle exploded at 10.59am outside Liverpool Women's Hospital, Another person is in hospital being treated for injuries, Counter-terror are leading the investigation.