A suspected car bomb has exploded on a city centre street in Derry. The Police Service of Northern Ireland tweeted a photograph of an explosion in Bishop Street warning people to stay away.

Bishop Street Closed



STAY AWAY



Suspected Car Bomb pic.twitter.com/S3cFu3zy0i — PSNI DC&S District (@PSNIDCSDistrict) January 19, 2019

Police also indicated that they were concerned about a a second suspicious vehicle.

The PSNI said on its Foyle Facebook page: “As far as we know, no one injured. There is another car we are not happy about. There are ongoing necessary evacuations.”

Witnesses earlier said they heard a loud bang and saw a large plume of smoke. Local residents, including those in a sheltered housing complex for elderly people, are being evacuated.

Police urged patience and cooperation from the public and business community as they carried out their investigations and appealed for information.

The Northern Ireland secretary, Karen Bradley, said in a statement: “I am concerned at the reports coming from Londonderry and am being kept informed by PSNI. I urge anyone with any information to contact the police or Crimestoppers.”

Democratic Unionist party leader Arlene Foster said it was a “pointless act of terror” which “must be condemned in the strongest terms”. “Only hurts the people of the city. Perpetrated by people with no regard for life,” she said. “Grateful to our emergency services for their swift actions which helped ensure there have been no fatalities or injuries.”

The Foyle Sinn Féin MP, Elisha McCallion, condemned the blast. She said: “This incident has shocked the local community. In particular, there are many elderly residents who live in the area who have been alarmed by this.

“Thankfully, no one appears to have been injured. Derry is a city moving forward and no-one wants this type of incident. It is not representative of the city. I would encourage anyone with information about this incident to bring it to the police.”

Local Democratic Unionist MLA Gary Middleton said: “PSNI have confirmed there were no injuries in the serious incident at Bishops Street,” he said. “Vehicle hijacked with explosion outside courthouse. Disgraceful act of terrorism.”

Alliance party leader Naomi Long has also voiced her concern about the incident on Twitter, describing it as “very disturbing news”.