Police appeal for information after pipe bomb explosion in east Belfast

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is appealing for information after a pipe bomb exploded in a residential area of east Belfast.

Around 8.20pm there was a loud bang heard from an alley in the Hyndford Street area off the Beersbridge Road.

Residents have been evacuated and a cordon put in place.

Ammunition Technical Officers found a a crude pipe bomb-type device next to a household bin. Further forensic examinations will be carried out on the device.

Minor damage was caused to the bin, and there are no reports of any injuries.

Inspector Greg Dawson said: “This was a reckless act carried out in a residential area with no consideration given as to who this device could have injured or killed.

“We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding during this time when they were moved from their homes for a number of hours while we carried out our investigation.

“I would ask anyone who noticed anyone acting suspicious in the area to call us on 101 quoting 1889 01/08/23."

Image: TUBS, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons