Police rush to scene of an explosion at Southgate Tube Station  

Homes have been evacuated and residents have been told to stay indoors after an explosion at a North London tube station. 

A number of people are being treated for injuries with one person seen carried off in a stretcher after a device detonated tonight. 

It is understood the Met Police were investigating a suspicious package found at Southgate Tube Station in Enfield when the explosion happened.

Witnesses described smelling ‘burning’ as people rushed out of the station in panic.   

Evacuated: Southgate Tube Station in Enfield, North London, has been shut down following an explosion 

‘I was at Southgate Station when this commotion started,’ University of London student Haluk Oskan, 26, told the Daily Star.

‘I could smell burning (like rubber) and saw multiple people hurrying for the exits. Station staff were scurrying around inside and people were rushing out of the exit.’

A second witness told MailOnline: ‘There’s sniffer dogs everywhere, there’s loads of undercover police. It’s madness over here. I know people have been evacuated from their homes. I was watching.’

Another man said he is still stuck inside a restaurant as police officers work to clear the scene.

‘Stuck in an Indian restaurant opposite Southgate station because of a suspect bomb going off inside (the station).’ 

He added that he saw a person being carried out of the station on a stretcher.

‘Don’t know too much except we have been told to stay inside,’ he said. 

Darren Yarlett, a city worker, 36, was driving home in Southgate but police had taped off the roads near to the station.

He told the Evening Standard: ‘The police moved us on, but they said there was an explosion in the station. 

The Met Police were investigating a suspicious package at Southgate Tube Station in Enfield, North London, tonight when an explosion rocked the station 

‘There must be around 50 or 60 police, an ambulance, fire arms and dog units.’

He added: ‘I didn’t hear anything so don’t want to jump to any conclusions but the amount of ambulances would say something has happened.’

One resident tweeted: ‘Got escorted out of my flat next to #Southgate tube station. All cornered off but we’re not getting many answers.’ 

One Twitter user posted to say: ‘Stuck in an Indian restaurant opposite #Southgate station because of a suspect bomb going off inside (the station).

‘Don’t know too much except we have been told to stay inside. Suspet9 device found/gone off inside tube. Saw one person coming out on a stretcher.’

At the scene: Police have shut off the entire area outside the busy Tube station 

At the scene: Police have shut off the entire area outside the busy Tube station 

They later added: ‘Having a police escort back to #PremierInn now because there has been a device go off in the station.’ 

British Transport Police added; ‘We are currently dealing with an incident at #Southgate tube station. Officers are at the scene. More info as we get it.’

A woman who lives next to the station said she had been evacuated from her flat.

The woman, called Naomi, wrote on Twitter: ‘Got escorted out of my flat next to Southgate tube station.

‘All cornered off but we’re not getting many answers. I have no bra on, one hand painted and my hair’s wet.’ 

The Tube line was reporting severe delays between Arnos Grove and Cockfosters. There are minor delays on the rest of the line.

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: ‘We remain at Tube station in London following a reported minor explosion. A number of people have been treated at the scene. No serious injuries reported and enquiries continue.’

More to follow 



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