GETTY A female officer was badly injured in the attack

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Although police were yet to finally confirm the nail bomb blast in Budapest was the work of a ISIS-linked jihadi, Zsolt Molnar, the Chairman of National Security Committee said: “If someone detonates a bomb at an open square that is usually called a terrorist attack.” Police are investigating links to terrorism after the bomb detonated in central Budapest days before a crucial vote on the country's migration policy. Witnesses described seeing an attacker waiting in a doorway before throwing the explosive device packed with nails at two officers as they passed by the buidling.

Police.hu The man believed to be responsible was seen wearing a distinctive hat

Zsolt Molnar, the Chairman of National Security Committee said: “We haven’t yet received any confirmation that it was a jihadist attack, but we are still investigating every potential theory. “It is clear that the purpose of the attack was to murder two of our officers.” Karoly Papp, Chief Inspector of the Hungarian Police, said: “It was a home-made bomb. Someone wanted to murder our officers.” Police are searching for a man, thought to be aged 20 to 25 years old,who was wearing a white fishing hat at the time of the incident. Officers say it is unclear if the suspect is still in Hungary or if he has fled the country.

It was a home-made bomb. Someone wanted to murder our officers Chief Inspector of the Hungarian Police Karoly Papp

The authorities have put up a cash reward of £28,000 for anyone who can lead them to the suspect. As a result of the blast Hungary has strengthened its borders and increased security at airports. Police are scouring CCTV evidence in a bid to discover what happened during the Saturday night attack which was close to a hotel.

Police rushing the apparent explosion scene in #oktogon #budapest. Any idea whats happening? pic.twitter.com/c4P5Lnppvt — Ashutosh Daga (@onlydaga) September 24, 2016

The police officers found nails in the area and are now investigating reports it may have been thrown at officers by an assailant who fled the scene shortly after the blast. Officials confirmed that two police officers were injured and were taken to hospital. Wtinesses described seeing a young female officer with head injuries from a "splinter" while a male officer suffered injuries to his feet. She is said to be fighting for her life in a critical condition while the male officer is expected to make a full recovery.

GETTY This is the man police are hunting in connection with the attack

In a press conference, police said they are working on seven possible theories about the incident. The explosion shattered glass windows and caused panic in the surrounding streets, with scores of emergency vehicles rushing towards loud blast, which witnesses initially believed to be triggered by a gas leak.

EPA Hungarian Police say the device was a home-made bomb

EPA Officers say it is unclear if the suspect is still in Hungary

EPA Police are investigating possible links to terrorism

The scene has since been declared safe by security officials, following a huge police presence at Teresa Boulevard in the Oktogon area. In videos from the scene people appear to have been treated for injuries in the street, however there does not appear to be damage to buildings. Members of the public described their horror after being evacuated from restaurants as the emergency services continued their work. One witness said: "I was driving towards the building that time with my son when we heard the explosion. “I stopped immediately, ran to the building and saw two officers lying on the ground.

NC The female officer injured is pictured here in a campaign

EPA The authorities have put up a cash reward of £28,000 for anyone who can lead them to the suspect

EPA Police are working on seven possible theories about the incident

“I didn't know if they were police officers or not, but one of them was calling for help on their radio. “The police cars arrived to the scene in two minutes. “The other officer, a young woman, didn't move, she was covered in dust and she was severely bleeding." Another witness added: "The woman was hit by a splinter on her head, and she was bleeding, the man was hit on his feet. “They were both lying on the ground, upon each other. The man put a hat under the woman's head to stop the bleeding, but he couldn't stand up. “The woman was awake, and when we wanted to help her, the other officer asked us to call for an ambulance instead.

This is the site of the blast, couple of people are on the floor.People are taking care of the injured. Can't see more#Budapest #explosion pic.twitter.com/RuCTZinNN3 — Jkv (@climbingjonny) September 24, 2016

“That's when other police officers arrived and asked us to leave the scene." A man from a building next door said: "We felt the detonation. I immediately looked out the window, and saw the civil police officers running towards the place of the explosion. “A few minutes later a lot of police officers, ambulance cars and fire brigades arrived. “I went down to the street and overheard police officers talking about some bag, and saw a body lying on the ground. “The wall of the building has came off, and the windscreens of the cars passing by also broke out."

EPA Hungary has strengthened its borders and increased security at airports following the blast

EPA Two police officers were seriously injured in the explosion