A person has died following a taxi explosion at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
Police were called to the city centre site, which specialises in neonatal care, shortly before 11am on Sunday to reports of a car explosion in its vicinity.
Members of the public were turned away from the premises as all three emergency services attended the scene along with a bomb disposal unit.
Images circulating on social media showed a vehicle on fire in the hospital’s car park and clouds of smoke were seen billowing from a short distance.
Merseyside Police have now confirmed that one person sadly died in the incident while a man suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries.
Officers believe that the taxi pulled up at the hospital’s entrance shortly before the explosion occurred and work is ongoing to establish the full facts.
“We are keeping an open mind as to what caused the explosion,” the force confirmed in a statement.
“But given how it has happened, out of caution, Counter Terrorism Police are leading the investigation supported by Merseyside Police.
“The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents.
“Our response is ongoing at the hospital and will be for some time. Cordons are in place, and there are some road closures.
“We have triggered our information channels – to inform the local community and businesses about what information we do have and can provide
“We would urge the public to remain calm (but vigilant).
“To keep updated on what is happening, keep watching the news and checking the Merseyside Police website.
“We would like to thank the public for their patience and their cooperation today which has already greatly assisted our policing response.
“We will issue updates as soon as we have more information.
“This has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage although out of caution CT detectives are leading as we try to understand the circumstances behind the explosion.”