PSNI investigate Belfast blast

Police officers believed to be in the vicinity when explosion took place

Police are searching to establish whether an explosive device was detonated: Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Police are searching to establish whether an explosive device was detonated: Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Police in Belfast are attending the scene of a security alert after an explosion was reported in the north of the city last night.

No-one was injured in the incident which police say happened in close proximity to a number of PSNI officers near a section of the M5 motorway at 9.15pm.

The slip road at Greencastle northbound has been re-opened following a police investigation but the section between Hazelbank and Greencastle remains sealed-off.

Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes as police have warned that the section of motorway will be closed for some considerable time.

Further searches are being carried out in the area to establish what caused the suspected explosion.

No further details of the incident have been released.

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