Liverpool bombing: Homemade device using ball bearings as shrapnel, police say

The bomb that exploded near Liverpool Women’s Hospital contained an improvised explosive device and a ball bearing and could cause “severe injury or death,” police said. Emad Al Swealmeen’s device exploded shortly before 11:00 GMT on Sunday to remind the taxi in front of the hospital.

Deputy Chief Constable Russ Jackson said a “completely accidental” explosion could not be ruled out. He added that police found no link to the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. Al Sualmine, a 32-year-old Christian, was a taxi passenger when his device exploded.

Driver David Perry fled seconds before the vehicle caught fire.

Pathological examination revealed that Al Suelmain had died from injuries caused by the explosion and fire.Northwest Counterterrorism Police Chief Mr. Jackson said it was not yet known why the bomb exploded, “but we don’t deny that it was completely accidental.”

“It is possible that the movement or stopping of the vehicle caused the ignition,” he explained. He said the bomb was “made with the help of an improvised explosive device and had a ball bearing on it that would act like shrapnel.”

“If it had been detonated under other circumstances, we believe it would have caused significant injury or death,” Jackson added. He said detectives were trying to understand “how purchases were made for the materials to make the device.”

The job was complicated “because the purchase took months and Al Swilmin used multiple aliases,” Jackson said.

Police previously said that Al Swinmin had been leasing a plot of land on Rutland Avenue near Sefton Park in Liverpool since April and at least since then made a “buy” for the bomb. He said officials “found no link between this incident and the horrific events in Manchester in May 2017. And that the devices “also differed from those used in the attack at Manchester Arena.”

He also said police spoke to the bomber’s brother and “gained insight into his early years. And an understanding of Al Swilmin’s life and state of mind.” Mr. Jackson added that detectives are also “thankful” to members of the public who knew him and contacted us.