Suspicious package sent to hotel contained explosive device

- Published

A suspicious package delivered to a hotel in Londonderry contained a "viable" explosive device, police have said.

Army bomb experts were sent to the hotel at Ebrington Square in the city's Waterside after the package was discovered at about 15:20 GMT on Tuesday.

They carried out a controlled explosion on the device, which was later taken away for a forensic examination.

Det Supt Kearney of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: "I condemn this reckless and targeted attack."

The detective said that "a number of people" were evacuated from the hotel, along with staff from neighbouring premises.

A Halloween funfair had been taking place a short distance away from the hotel.

It remained open during the security alert.