Rome bomb lacked detonator

21/12/10 18:43 CET

world news

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Bomb disposal experts say an explosive device found on the underground system in Rome could not have gone off.

Although the rudimentary device contained a small quantity of explosive, paramilitary sources say it did not have a detonator when it was found near the capital’s Rebibbia metro station.

Security is already running high in Rome after last week’s student protests.

One traveller said: ‘‘This atmosphere is strange, it is not calm or serene, not very Christmassy, especially when you look at what has happened recently and who knows what will happen tomorrow.’‘

As yet, no group has come forward saying they planted the bomb, but tension is high across Europe following warnings from Baghdad of possible al-Qaeda attacks.

More about: Italy, Rome

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