Witnesses describe dramatic moment Parsons Green bomb suspect was arrested in Dover

'He didn't see it coming...he was stunned'

Benjamin Kentish

Sunday 17 September 2017 15:04 BST

30 people were injured when the bomb partially exploded on a District Line train (AFP)

Witnesses have described the dramatic moment when the man suspected of being behind the Parsons Green attack was arrested at a Dover port.

The 18-year-old was seized by officers in the departure lounge as he attempted to board a ferry.

The bomb, left on a District Line train, injured 30 people after partially detonating. Experts said it would have killed dozens had it fully exploded.

The suspect was reportedly arrested as he tried to flee the country.

Witnesses said he “froze” as seven police officers approached him.

One told the The Sunday Mirror: “He didn’t see it coming. As the officers arrived behind him he froze and appeared stunned.”

Police are believed to have been responding to a tip-off from port staff.

One witness described the suspect as “white…but not English”.

A worker at the port said: “He was surrounded by about seven police officers after he came in to buy a ticket. It was all done very quickly and quietly. There was no sign of a struggle. It was difficult to see him or what he looked like because they moved towards him so fast."

Terror attack at Parson's Green – in pictures

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Part of the port was later evacuated by counter-terrorism police. Officers said important evidence had been recovered at the scene of the arrest.

The suspect was detained on Saturday morning. Witnesses said the area was virtually empty at the time.

He is believed to have travelled to Dover by train from London Victoria, before walking from the rail station to the port.

Police described the arrest as “significant”.

They later arrested a second man in Hounslow, west London, in connection with the bombing.