The explosion has since been declared a terrorist attack.
Update: Counter-terrorism police have arrested four men in connection with the car explosion at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, which left a passenger dead and the driver injured.
The vehicle, believed to be a taxi, exploded outside the hospital at 11am on Sunday, at the same time the UK was preparing to fall silent to mark Remembrance Sunday.
The men have been arrested under the Terrorism Act, reports the BBC.
Detectives from Counter Terrorism Police North West said earlier today that they were continuing to “keep an open mind about the cause of the explosion” and were working with Merseyside Police on the ongoing investigation.
The incident has since been declared a terror attack.
Worrying images circulating on social media of a car in flames outside the reception of Liverpool Women’s Hospital. @LivEchonews reporting area shut off and police in attendance. I hope no one is hurt. pic.twitter.com/24orOjm38G
— James Corbett (@james_corbett) November 14, 2021
The Liverpool Women’s Hospital is just a mile from Liverpool Cathedral where military veterans and civic figures attended a Remembrance Sunday service.
This news comes after earlier reports of armed police in the residential area of Rutland Avenue, Sefton Park. Residents of the area told the Liverpool Echo they were told to remain indoors by police.
Latest from Rutland Avenue in south Liverpool this evening which remains blocked by armed police in connection with explosion at city’s Women’s Hospital earlier today
Three men elsewhere in the city have been arrested under the Terror Act pic.twitter.com/mG83nkI9mo
— Liam Thorp (@LiamThorpECHO) November 14, 2021
An unnamed resident said that the situation was particularly “alarming” given that it was getting dark and no one knew what was happening.
She said: “At the Ullet Road entrance there are about four police vehicles, one is jackknifed in the middle of the road and another vehicle is in front of that.
Terror arrests after #minicab explosion at #Liverpool Women's Hospital Couter terrorism police confirmed the arrests of the men, aged 21, 26 and 29 in the Kensington area of Liverpool. #Terrorism #Terrorists pic.twitter.com/ex0U7BnlZz
— #DDD (@DDDaughters) November 14, 2021
“At the other end it’s cordoned off and there is police there. At the Ullet Road end there are what looks like police marksmen.
“All the residents have been told to stay indoors and the police gave no further information.”
Similar reports came from Boaler Street but police officials have since confirmed that the two incidents were not connected.
