TEHRAN, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- An explosive device Tuesday rocked a building harboring foreign companies in central Tehran, causing damage but no injuries, the Iranian News Agency reports. IRNA said the building houses the offices of British Petroleum, British Airways and Mercedes Benz, producing panic among employees. | BP and BA, huh? Just a coincidence, I'm sure. |
Police said an investigation was under way.
Additional: The device exploded around 9:30 a.m. (0500 GMT) in a garbage bin on the 10th floor near the British Airways office. One witness told Reuters the blast was caused by a bomb hidden in a rubbish bin in the hallway of a large tower block on the floor shared by the two companies and car giant DaimlerChrysler. "It was at 9.15 a.m. (0445 GMT) outside the BA and BP office, there were no casualties but the building was damaged," said the witness who works in one of the offices.
"It was hidden in a rubbish bin," he said. "Windows were smashed, there was a lot of damage to the building, parts of the ceiling collapsed."
Police at the scene told Reuters it was a bomb blast. However, the UK's Press Association said the explosion was thought to have been caused by device similar to a concussion grenade which produces a loud noise and a shock wave. Just a little wake-up call
Iran's Interior Ministry said they had sent bomb disposal teams to the building. It was not immediately clear who was behind the blast.
A BA spokesman in London told CNN: "We can confirm that police in Tehran are investigating a very small explosion outside an office block in the city. No one from British Airways or its franchise carrier BMed has been injured in the incident. "British Airways' franchise BMed, which operates a daily service to the city, has its office on the 10th floor of the building which also includes many other Western companies.
"There was no damage to the BMed office given its height above the ground. It is likely that the office will be closed for the remainder of the day." |