Gas explosion rocks central Budapest

Hungarian police said Sunday that an explosion in downtown Budapest that seriously injured two of its officers was caused by a homemade, shrapnel-laden device meant to kill the pair.

He was described as a male between 20-25 years-old and 170cm (5ft 8in) tall.

Papp told Hungarian media that he has “no doubt” that police officers were explicit targets of the Saturday blast, adding that the alleged perpetrator was planning to “execute” the officers.

Locals have been asked to contact police with any information or footage of the incident.

Police said there were no further injuries from the explosion, which occurred around 10:30 p.m. local time (2030 GMT).

Hungary’s rescue agency said no fires were caused by the blast.

The explosion, which was heard across central Budapest, blew out the ground floor shop front and damaged nearby buildings and cars. The route and the timing of the foot patrol were set, and the officers who were caught in the blast were not in the area merely by accident or out of coincidence.

Bystanders posted pictures on social media of nails scattered across the scene.

“The police have involved experts for the review of the area, interviewing witnesses and collecting data”, the statement said.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been a vocal opponent of immigration into Europe and has campaigned for a referendum about migrant resettlement quotas on the premise that immigration increases the terror threat in Europe.