A six-year-old boy is lucky to be alive after picking up the remains of a pipe bomb moments after it exploded in his garden in Derry, Northern Ireland.
The tot, who was playing at teatime yesterday, took the device in to his house before handing it to his terrified mum, who was with his toddler twin sisters.
Police attended the scene and cordons remain in place this morning as investigations are carried out.
Detective inspector Michael Winters said in a statement that while enquiries are at an early stage it appears at the device had detonated prior to it being lifted by the young boy.
He added that despite this not being a live device, the fact a young boy found it and lifted it "shows the blatant disregard by those responsible for leaving it there".
Reporter Leona O'Neil from the Belfast Telegraph posted video interviews with Gary Middleton the DUP's former deputy mayor of Londonderry and Martin Reilly of the Social Democratic and Labour Party close to the scene.
Mr Middleton said: "Obviously this is something that has to be condemned, we do not want to see this type of activity within our areas.
"These people who would have left this device, or who would have been responsible for this device, need to take accountability for their actions.
"I'm calling on anybody within this area whose information, regardless of the circumstances of that information, need to bring it forward to the police, because those responsible need to be brought to justice."
Mr Reilly said: "This is not the first time we've had a pipe bomb explode in this area.
"People right across the waterside are really frustrated and angry that a child's life was put in danger last night.
"The explosion happened and the child has picked up the remains of the device and brought it into the house, it's a terrifying ordeal for his parents and indeed for the young child.
"Nobody wants to see these types of activities happening on our streets and anyone with information on those behind this type of incident should bring it forward to the PSNI so those that are putting lives in jeopardy can be brought to justice."
