Suspected car bomb explodes in Northern Ireland

Police on Saturday said that they were investigating a suspected car bombing that took place outside a courthouse in Londonderry.

Taking to its Twitter handle, the Police Service of Northern Ireland urged the people to stay away from the area as the investigation is underway.

Authorities did not say whether anyone sustained injuries or did not name any suspects in connection to the suspected explosion. However, parliamentarians have said that no one was injured in the incident, CNN reported.

Sinn Fein MP Elisha McCallion said that no person appeared to sustain injuries, adding that the "incident shocked the local community", particularly, many "elderly residents".

"This incident has shocked the local community. In particular, there are many elderly residents who live in the area who have been alarmed by this incident," she said in a statement.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster, however, termed the incident as an "act of terror". She lauded emergency responders for their swift response "which helped ensure there have been no fatalities or injuries."

"This pointless act of terror must be condemned in the strongest terms. Only hurts the people of the City. Perpetrated by people with no regard for life," Foster tweeted.