The terrifying moment a car bomb exploded just yards from a police officer has been caught on camera.
The blast erupted as local residents, including families with young babies, were being evacuated by officers.
A delivery driver had been forced to transport the bomb to its target before abandoning the vehicle.
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The horror unfolded outside Dunmurry police station in Belfast, Ireland, on Saturday (25 Apr), as reported by Need To Know.
Bodycam footage shows an officer approaching the parked white car before it suddenly explodes in a huge fireball.
Miraculously, he escaped without injury.
Speaking after the attack, Police Service of Northern Ireland Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said: “Shortly after 10.50pm last night, Saturday 25th April, a delivery driver’s car was hijacked in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast and a gas cylinder device was placed in the boot of the vehicle.
“The man was ordered to drive it to Dunmurry police station.
“The vehicle was abandoned outside the front of the station and police personnel immediately activated the station’s Attack Alarm.
“Police officers immediately and courageously ran into danger, placing themselves in harm’s way, and evacuated nearby homes to protect the community.
“A number of residents, including two babies, were being taken to safety by officers when the device exploded, engulfing the vehicle in flames and sending debris in all directions.
“What this type of device may have lacked in terms of its sophistication and scale, it more than made up for in its reckless unpredictability.
“Thanks to the swift actions of police, no one has been injured, which is nothing short of miraculous.
“We have commenced an attempted murder investigation which will be led by our Terrorism Investigation Unit and I would appeal to anyone who may have seen the hijacked vehicle in the Twinbrook area before 11pm to contact us.”
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher blasted the “reckless and dangerous” attack.
He said: “It is everyone’s responsibility to call out such reckless attacks.
“This was not just an attack aimed at our incredible and hard working police officers and staff.
“These mindless idiots wantonly risked the lives of local residents including very young children.
“This was an attack against the very society that so many people have strived to achieve.
“Anyone with any information whatsoever please come forward and help us stop these criminals before they actually hurt someone.
“There is no place for these people in our society.
“An attack on the PSNI is an attack on everyone.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the incident.
He said: “I utterly condemn the attack on Dunmurry police station.
“My thoughts are with the local community and with the PSNI officers who work every day to keep people safe.
“I urge anyone with information to come forward.
“Those responsible will be brought to justice.”
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