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3 explosive packages found near airports, train station in London

Posted at 10:59 AM, Mar 05, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-05 12:41:42-05

British counter-terrorism police are investigating after small improvised explosive devices were found near three major London transport hubs.

The devices were sent in small packages to buildings at or near Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo train station, police said.

All the devices were judged to be viable, and in one instance, the package burst into flames when staff opened it. No-one was hurt.

The Metropolitan Police said its counter-terrorism command unit was investigating the devices, which appeared to be part of a "linked series."

The first device was found in a package delivered to a building near Heathrow, the UK's busiest airport, at about 9.55 a.m. local time Tuesday. Staff opened the package, causing it to "initiate," police said. Part of the package burned.

At about 11.40 a.m., police were called to the post room at Waterloo station, a major hub for trains to the south and west of London. The package was not opened and specialist officers made the device safe, police said.

The third package turned up about 30 minutes later at City Aviation House, a building near London City Airport, a small commercial airfield in the Docklands area of east London. Again, the device was not opened and specialist officers made it safe, police said.

Transport is running normally following a brief suspension of trains to City Airport. Police have told London's transport hubs to be on alert for other suspicious packages.