Posted on 02/02/2010 7:09:02 PM PST by My Favorite Headache
Explosion rocks Darwin's CBD
03 February 2010 | 01:32:11 PM | Source: SBS staff and agencies BreakingNews_Article_large_931147814
Seven people are in hospital after a man pushed an explosive device through the doorway of the Woolworths store in central Darwin. Add your comment
The man allegedly loaded a shopping trolley with jerry cans and firecrackers and pushed the trolley through the building's doors. Some of the jerry cans were still on fire when police arrived at the scene.
Up to a dozen people, including a police officer, have reportedly been injured.
The extent of their injuries is not yet known, though it's believed the police officer is suffering from smoke inhalation. Authorities say the injuries suffered by bystanders are not life threatening.
A man surrendered himself to Darwin police a short time later on Wednesday, police said.
Police bomb experts and fire experts are at the scene, checking for further explosives. Cavanagh Street in the centre of Darwin is closed off while the incident is investigated.
The explosion happened around 11am, local time.
Police have described the explosion as 'significant'.
Charmaine Burton, who was working in a nearby office, said she heard several loud evenly-spaced bangs and that it sounded like a semi-automatic rifle.
She said smoke was billowing out of the doors of the supermarket.
Police were at the doors calling "if you can hear me, come to my voice", she said.
"There was an accelerant type smell, like "kero", or a diesel fuel sort of smell.
"No-one came out of the building in the time we spent there."
The supermarket did not appear to be badly damaged but it and other shops in the CBD Plaza have been cordoned off.
Ms Burton said people were in panic after the incident.
"It was just hysteria, everyone was just in panic and I just hope everybody's okay.
"In the four minutes we stood outside that building no-one came out.
"It was just dead silence," she said.
Ok, be honest. Who else thought this was some sort of “God Guts Guns” Darwin thread?
Just wait for these kinds of attacks to begin in America courtesy of the Amish. Think the economy has troubles now?
CBD? Central Business District?
*sigh* Me.
Yeah ... me too .... I was wondering what part of Chuck was in a bottle of formaldehyde.
Yes, Aussies normally would not say “Downtown”, we say CBD.
ROP?
Yup. Oh, and Down Under, Woolworths’ (or “Woolies”) is a supermarket, not a five-and-ten store as they used to be called. Started by a branch of the same family, I believe.
Thanks! I’ve only know it as a five-and-dime
Guilty.
Snort! You read my mind. Amazing how these threads evolve, isn’t it?
With our economy going the way it is, our children will know it as a 'five-grand and million'.
“Amazing how these threads evolve, isn’t it?”
Not at all, its almost like there is an intelligent design behind them.
Those Scottish Calvinists are too damn hate-filled and violent.....
Francois: Do you know what kind of a bomb it was?
Clouseau: Ze exploding kind!!!
“A Man” “The Man”...hmm is “A Man” like an older version of “a Youth”?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.