Parsons Green explosion: Bucket 'bomb' blast leaves 22 people injured in terror attack

A BOMB has exploded on a packed Tube train at rush hour leaving at least 22 passengers injured in a terrorism incident.

Commuters fled in panic after the device sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through the packed London Underground train. The explosion is being treated as a terrorist incident, Scotland Yard said. The blast appears to have originated from a white bucket in a Lidl bag – which appears to have wires protruding from it – found at the rear of the carriage. It is reported the device was only a "partial detonation" and police confirmed it was an "improvised explosive device". Eyewitnesses saw several people "covered in blood" after a "flash and a bang" on the District Line service. At least 22 people have been taken to hospital, with reports of "facial burns" – but London Ambulance Service confirmed "none have life threatening injuries". Emergency services including armed police rushed to the scene at Parsons Green station after being alerted at around 8.20am on Friday.

Parsons Green terror attack, live pictures Explosion on London Tube train as passengers are injured 1 / 33

Bomb squad officers, armed police, paramedics and firefighters are all in attendance at the incident – the cause and motive of which remain unknown. Prime Minister Theresa May is to chair a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergencies committee this afternoon to discuss the incident. There were also unconfirmed reports of second device and a knifeman on the run amid the chaos. People were hurt in a stampede to exit the station following the blast, which comes after Britain has suffered under a wave of terrorist attacks.

“We're aware of an incident at Parsons Green station” BTP Media technology consultant Richard Aylmer-Hall, 53, was sitting on the District Line train bound for central London when panic unfolded at around 8.20am. He said he saw several people injured, having apparently been trampled as they tried to escape. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has appealed for calm, saying London "will never be intimidated or defeated by terrorism". BBC correspondent Riz Lateef, who was at the station travelling to work, said there was "panic as people rushed from the train, hearing what appeared to be an explosion. "People were left with cuts and grazes from trying to flee the scene. There was lots of panic."

British Transport Police said: "We're aware of an incident at Parsons Green station. Officers are at the scene. The station is closed.” Transport for London said it is "investigating an incident at Parsons Green" and urged customers travelling between Wimbledon and Earls Court to use alternative routes A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We are on scene alongside the Metropolitan Police at Parsons Green.”

Police prepare for terror attacks European Police are staging numerous training exercises to be best prepared for future terrorist attacks. 1 / 41 AFP/Getty Images Armed Metropolitan Police counter terrorism officers take part in an exercise on the River Thames in London

Natasha Wills, of London Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 8.20am to reports of an incident at Parsons Green underground station. "We have sent multiple resources to the scene including single responders in cars, ambulance crews, incident response officers and our hazardous area response team, with the first of our medics arriving in under five minutes. "Our initial priority is to assess the level and nature of injuries. More information will follow when we have it.”