ANTI-terror cops are hunting a male suspect after 13 people were injured when a parcel bomb filled with "nails and bolts" exploded during rush hour in Lyon yesterday.

The man, aged in his 30s, was seen placing a bag outside a bakery in the Victor Hugo area of the city at 5.30pm local time before riding away on a bicycle, an official said.

14 The masked suspect, seen placing at least one bag at the scene of the blast, captured on CCTV using a bicycle Credit: Twitter/DamienRieu

14 A woman is carried away in a stretcher following the bomb assault in Lyon this afternoon

14 Police have locked down the street in the heart of the city after a parcel bomb exploded injuring several people Credit: @Vil1_PetitLaP1 / Twitter

An emergency services spokesman said: "A man in his mid 30s was seen placing a possible parcel bomb, and a hunt has been launched to try and find him."

Alain Bardelis, of the local police union, said the suspected bomber had his head covered and was wearing dark glasses, but was caught on CCTV.

He said: "He was wearing a dark top and Bermuda shorts. Municipal cameras would have caught him on his bike."

A witness living in a flat on Victor Hugo said: "We heard a monstrous noise, and our windows came in. We could see that people were running everywhere down below. I saw people wounded.

"The explosion was from the pavement in front of the bakery. We’ve heard it was a bomb packed with nuts and bolts."



SUSPECT WEARING SHORTS AND GLASSES

A local woman said the horrific blast happened outside her home where she had been standing ten minutes before.

She tweeted: "I am going to throw up. The explosion in the street, I spent 10 minutes before. It's literally the foot of my house."

The neighbouring streets are filled with soldiers while several fire engines have arrived on site of the explosion which President Macron branded an "attack".

According to local media, the devastating explosion was caused by a parcel bomb which was filled with nails, bolts and screws.

BOMB 'FILLED WITH NAILS'

Kamel Amerouche, the regional authority's communications chief, said the casualties, including an eight-year-old girl, suffered leg wounds describing the injuries as minor.

He said the explosion occurred in or outside a store of the bakery chain Brioche Doree.

French leader Emmanuel Macron interrupted a TV interview to say: "There’s been a bomb attack in Lyon, there are injuries."

He later tweeted: “Tonight I think of the wounded of the explosion in Lyon, their families affected by the violence that has fallen on their loved ones in the street, and all Lyon. We are at your side.”

The attack comes on the eve of European elections in the country, when millions will go to the polls to elect new MEPs.

France has been the victim of some of Europe's worst terror assaults in recent years.

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In January 2015, 12 people were killed when two brainwashed jihadis attacked the Parisian offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

And later that year, in November, a group of terrorists unleashed hell on the capital city murdering 130 innocent people in a coordinated gun and bomb massacre.

Nice in the south of France was also targeted in July 2016 when a crazed extremist used a truck to kill 86 people who were celebrating Bastille Day.

14 A woman is helped into an ambulance following the explosion which happened outside a bakery Credit: AFP or licensors

14 A bomb disposal expert works at the scene of the explosion Credit: AFP or licensors

14 French soldiers holds rifles while standing guard in the Victor Hugo area of the city Credit: AP:Associated Press

14 A masked anti terror cop at the scene in Lyon Credit: Reuters

14 Officers are hunting a man in his 30s who planted bags at the scene of the attack Credit: AFP or licensors

14 An anti terror vehicle is seen near the site of the explosion in the heart of France's third biggest city Credit: AP:Associated Press

14 Emergency workers carry a victim in a blanket following the bomb attack Credit: AFP or licensors

14 French President Macron has called the explosion an 'attack' Credit: AFP or licensors

14 Police officers and soldiers have filled the city after the bomb assault which left several injured Credit: AFP or licensors

14 Seven people were wounded in the blast but their injuries are not life-threatening, officials have said Credit: @midesi69/ Twitter

14 The parcel bomb was filled with nails and bolts, local media has reported Credit: @Vil1_PetitLaP1 / Twitter

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