14/11/21
Liverpool explosion: Three arrested under Terrorism Act after car blast at hospital
Three men have been arrested under the Terrorism Act after a man was killed in a car explosion outside Liverpool Women's Hospital.
Counter-terrorism police said the men - aged 29, 26 and 21 - had been held in connection with the incident which happened just before 11:00 GMT.
The passenger of the car - said to be a taxi - was declared dead at the scene and is yet to be formally identified.
The male driver was injured and is in hospital in a stable condition.
Detectives from Counter Terrorism Police North West said the men were detained in the Kensington area of the city.
They added they were continuing to "keep an open mind about the cause of the explosion" and were working with Merseyside Police as the investigation continued "at pace".
Armed officers have carried out raids on a property in Rutland Avenue near Sefton Park, and also in Boaler Street in Kensington. Police have not confirmed if the raids are related to the blast at the hospital.
BBC correspondent Phil McCann later said armed officers and specialist police negotiators had arrived at a street near Sefton Park.
'Car on fire'
Carl Bessant, who had just had a baby, was inside the hospital with his partner at the time of the blast.
"My partner is really shook up to be honest," he said.
"We were so close and she was feeding the baby when it happened. We heard a loud bang and looked out of the window.
"We saw the car on fire and someone jump out... screaming, and there was someone inside the car.
"The hospital shut down, no-one in or out, so they said, but people were using the back entrance."
Police, fire and bomb disposal crews were at the scene of the blast which remains cordoned off
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter: "My thoughts are with all those affected by the awful incident in Liverpool today.
"I want to thank the emergency services for their quick response and professionalism, and the police for their ongoing work on the investigation."
Home Secretary Priti Patel also tweeted she was "being kept regularly updated on the awful incident".
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