An explosive device capable of causing death has been discovered in the heart of Belfast, police said yesterday.

The device was left on Friday night in a busy residential and commercial area. Army bomb disposal experts made it safe by carrying out a controlled explosion.

“This was a viable device which was capable of causing death or serious injury,” said police inspector Eugene King.

“I would appeal to the community for information about the people who left this deadly device in the heart of our city.”

The alert in Bradbury Place caused disruption in the area, with several homes and commercial premises evacuated overnight as police and army technical officers worked to make the device safe.

“A controlled explosion was carried out and the device has been removed for further examination,” a police spokesman said.

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