After tweeting that Indian missions in Canada are working round the clock following the blast in an Indian-origin restaurant in Ontario, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said “at this stage there is no evidence to term this incident as a terrorist attack or hate crime”.
Earlier, Swaraj had said she was in constant touch with India’s consul general in Toronto and the high commissioner in Canada.
“I am in constant touch with our Consul General in Toronto and Indian High Commissioner in Canada. Our missions will work round the clock. The Emergency number is : +1-647-668-4108,” she tweeted.
There is a blast in Indian restaurant Bombay Bhel in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. I am in constant touch with our Consul General in Toronto and Indian High Commissioner in Canada. Our missions will work round the clock. The Emergency number is : +1-647-668-4108.
Please RT— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 25, 2018
Later, Swaraj also tweeted an update on the incident, saying “Here is the latest update from Canada. The 12 persons who were taken to hospital have been discharged. The other 3 persons who were critically injured are stable. According to police, at this stage there is no evidence to term this incident as a terrorist attack or hate crime”.
Here is the latest update from Canada. The 12 persons who were taken to hospital have been discharged. The other 3 persons who were critically injured are stable. According to Police, at this stage there is no evidence to term this incident as a terrorist attack or hate crime.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 25, 2018
Two unidentified men detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) at an Indian restaurant in Canada’s Ontario province, injuring 15 people, three of them seriously.
Two suspects with their faces covered entered the Bombay Bhel restaurant late on Thursday night, dropped the device and fled, police said.
Peel Regional Police Chief Jennifer Evans said that there was no indication that the explosion was an act of terrorism or hate crime.
“There is no indication that this is a terrorism act. There is no indication that this is a hate crime at this time. We haven’t ruled anything out as we start our investigation,” Evans was quoted as saying by the Canadian broadcaster CBC.
Suspects fled after detonating IED
Peel Regional Police said that two suspects detonated the improvised explosive device in the restaurant and fled.
“Two parties fled the scene immediately after the incident. First described as male, 5’10-6feet, stocky build, mid-20s, light skin, wearing dark blue jeans, dark zip up hoodie pulled over head, baseball cap with light grey peak, face covered with black cloth material,” Peel Regional Police said in a tweet.
Two parties fled the scene immediately after the incident. 1st described as male, 5’10-6feet, stocky build, mid-20s, light skin, wearing dark blue jeans, dark zip up hoodie pulled over head, baseball cap with light grey peak, face covered with black cloth material.
— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPoliceMedia) May 25, 2018
“Second male described as 5’9”-5’10”, fair skin, thin build, faded blue jeans, dark zip-up hoodie hood pulled over head, grey t-shirt, dark coloured skate shoes, face covered. Looking for public’s assistance in identifying the parties that fled following the explosion,” it said in another tweet.
2nd male described as 5’9”-5’10”, fair skin, thin build, faded blue jeans, dark zip-up hoodie hood pulled over head, grey t-shirt, dark coloured skate shoes, face covered. Looking for public’s assistance in identifying the parties that fled following the explosion.
— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPoliceMedia) May 25, 2018
Police have issued CCTV footage of the two suspects.
2 suspects attended the scene, detonated an Improvised Explosive Device within the restaurant. Several injured were taken to local hospital and 3 in critical condition were taken to a Toronto Trauma Centre. pic.twitter.com/yzCT59UVN6
— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPoliceMedia) May 25, 2018
It was not immediately known as how many people were inside the restaurant when the incident took place. The motive for the attack was being investigated.
The shopping plaza in which the explosion took place has been sealed off, Peel Regional Police said in a tweet.
(With agency inputs)