Explosion at Parsons Green station, CST urge people to remain ‘alert’

Emergency services were called to a London Underground station after reports of an explosion on a train.

Pictures appeared to show an explosion in a bucket towards the rear of a District Line train bound for central London, as panic unfolded at around 8.20am.

The incident occurred at Parsons Green Tube station on Friday morning.

The Community Security Trust (CST) confirmed they had spoken with the Metropolitan Police. They wrote on Twitter: “#ParsonsGreen now declared terrorist incident. We urge community to be alert, report anything suspicious & follow CST for further updates.”

In a security bulleting, they said: “Police are treating as a “terrorist incident” this morning’s explosion on an underground train at Parsons Green station, west London.”

“CST has spoken with Police and we have been assured that at this stage there is no evidence that the explosion has any connection to the Jewish community. Nevertheless, given the current high terror threat level and the potential for attacks against multiple targets, including against the Jewish community, we urge everybody to be vigilant, to report anything suspicious and to follow all security protocols and instructions if you are visiting a Jewish location.”

They urge alertness over suspicious bags, packages, people or vehicles

A metro.co.uk reporter said passengers suffered facial burns.

ITV reporter Rupert Evelyn posted a picture on Twitter showing the barrel in question with wires coming out of it. He wrote: “Awaiting verificiation [sic] and confirmation but suspicion is it may not have gone as planned #ParsonsGreen bag… wires… explosion..”

The Metropolitan Police said: “We are aware of an incident atParsons Green Tube station. Officers are in attendance.”

British Transport Police said: “We’re aware of an incident atParsons Green station. Officers are at the scene. The station is closed.”

Transport for London said it is “investigating an incident atParsons Green” and urged customers travelling between Wimbledon and Earls Court to use alternative routes.