The RUC is this morning investigating a mortar attack which occurred shortly after midnight in Derry.
The blast is understood to have occurred close to the Ebrington army barracks on May Street.
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Dissident Republicans are being blamed for a mortar attack on the Ebrington army barracks in Derry
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A passerby was treated for shock and minor injuries but authorities said no-one was hurt inside the barracks and that it was not seriously damaged.
The mortar would have killed many people had it gone off, said RUC Superintendent Ian Hamill.
"This type of device can be very unstable and is intended to cause death and destruction. It is very fortunate on this occasion that no-one was seriously injured or killed," he said.
"I am quite satisfied that if this device had gone off it would have killed many people." Dissident republicans were being blamed for the attack.
An RUC spokesman said the explosion came from a van.
The area was sealed off and 300 houses in the vicinity were evacuated.