'Potentially deadly' bomb defused near university in Belfast

AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE which sparked a large security alert in Belfast city centre last night was viable and “capable of causing death”, police have said.

The bomb was left on Bradbury Place in the city, a popular nightlife area close to Queen’s University where thousands of students have recently returned after the summer holidays.

Police were alerted around 11pm and evacuated the area, which is home to a number of bars and restaurants. The area was sealed off overnight as British Army technical officers worked to defuse the device.

A controlled explosion was carried out and the remains of the bomb removed for forensic examination. The area re-opened to traffic at around 7am this morning.

Inspector King of the PSNI said: “This was a viable device which was capable of causing death or serious injury.” He made an appeal to local residents for information about “the people who left this deadly device in the heart of our city.”