Liverpool bomber had been buying parts for device for last 7 months, police say

17 November 2021, 10:41 | Updated: 17 November 2021, 15:35

The explosion at Liverpool Women's Hospital.
The explosion at Liverpool Women's Hospital. Picture: LBC

By Sophie Barnett

Police say the bomber behind the Liverpool Remembrance Day attack had been buying parts for his homemade device for the last seven months.

Emad Al Swealmeen, who was born in Iraq, died in the terror attack at Liverpool Women's Hospital on Sunday, November 14, following the explosion of a taxi in the hospital's car park.

Counter-terror police, who are investigating the incident in Liverpool, confirmed on Wednesday that the taxi in which the device exploded has now been removed from the scene.

Read more: Liverpool bomber 'exploited' asylum loophole to stay in UK - Home Sec

Read more: Liverpool bomb: Couple who lived with suspect believed he 'wouldn’t harm a fly'

Taxi explodes outside Liverpool Women's Hospital

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: "The post mortem on the deceased has taken place and the cause of death has been described as injuries sustained from the fire and explosion.

"A complex picture is emerging over the purchases of the component parts of the device, we know that Al Swealmeen rented the property from April this year and we believe relevant purchases have been made at least since that time.

"We have now traced a next of kin for Al Swealmeen who has informed us that he was born in Iraq.

Police reassure residents on Sutcliffe Street, Liverpool

"Our enquiries have found that Al Swealmeen has had episodes of mental illness, this will form part of the investigation and will take some time to fully understand.

"There is much comment in the media about Al Swealmeen and it is clear that he was known to many people. We continue to appeal for people who knew him, especially those who associated with him this year as we try and piece together the events leading up to this incident and the reasons for it.

"At this time we are not finding any link to others in the Merseyside area of concern but this remains a fast moving investigation and as more becomes known we cannot rule out action against others."

This story is being updated

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Portrait

Tragic reason it took so long to find Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa after couple died

Shabana Mahmood

Sentencing Council chief hits back at 'two-tier justice' criticism - as he warns against ministers 'dictating' guidance

Rome, Italy. 25th Jan, 2025. Pope Francis seen during the Celebration of Vespers

Vatican issues major health update on Pope Francis as pontiff remains in hospital

Most Brits support jailing social media bosses if they fail to protect children.

Two thirds of Brits support giving social media bosses jail time if they fail to protect young people online

Joanne Penney, 40, has been named as the suspected victim of a shooting in a quiet Welsh neighbourhood.

Tributes pour in for ‘bubbly’ mum shot dead at point-blank range outside front door

HM Coastguard was deployed to the incident, which is said to have taken place in the North Sea on Monday at approximately 9.48am.

One crew member missing as ship with toxic chemicals hits US military jet fuel tanker in North Sea

The Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales after attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey, in London.

Kate and Charles attend Commonwealth Day celebrations for first time since their cancer treatments

Exclusive
A whistleblower has pointed the finger at Elon Musk for a breakdown in online safety standards

'Everything fell apart': Facebook whistleblower says Elon Musk's Twitter takeover changed social media landscape

Palestinian Hamas militants are seen during a military show in the Bani Suheila district on July 20, 2017 in Gaza City, Gaza.

British woman, 20, who publicly 'endorsed' October 7 attacks on Israel charged with supporting Hamas

Mike Amesbury, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby in Cheshire arrives for sentencing on February 24, 2025 in Chester, England.

Former Labour MP Mike Amesbury to resign over assault conviction after punching constituent, triggering by-election

Exclusive
AI 'sex' chatbots are being used by children, researchers have found

Lonely children as young as 12 exposed to graphic sexual conversations as they turn to AI chatbots for company

The Ukrainian president has arrived in Saudi Arabia on the eve of vital peace talks between Ukrainian and US officials hosted in the country, which he won’t attend.

Zelenskyy arrives in Saudi Arabia to push for ceasefire ahead of crunch US peace talks

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks after signing an executive order on expanding access to IVF at his Mar-a-Lago resort on February 18, 2025.

US added to international civil liberties watchlist for ‘serious decline’ in civic freedom

Vladimir Putin

Russia blames UK for 'instigating' both world wars after expelling two British diplomats from Moscow

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon

Aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner responsible for death of baby they carried in 'bag for life', retrial hears

Catherine McKinnell

LBC's Kids Who Read Succeed with Nick Ferrari campaign praised by education minister in Parliament