Perth Invasion Day Protest Bomb Scare: Police Detail Homemade Explosive Device
Security cameras have captured the alarming moment a suspected homemade bomb was allegedly thrown into a crowd of thousands of Invasion Day protesters in Perth's central business district. The incident prompted a major emergency response and the evacuation of more than 2500 people from Forrest Place early on Monday afternoon.
Volatile Chemical Mixture Discovered
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch revealed on Tuesday that an improvised object, which police say contained "volatile and potentially explosive chemicals", nails, and metal ball bearings, was allegedly tossed from a first-floor walkway towards a stage. "At this time we have identified three compounds that form the liquid that was inside the glass container," Commissioner Blanch stated.
"We understand that those three compounds would constitute it being an explosive device — you can call that a bomb." The CCTV vision shared by authorities showed a man appearing to throw an object over the walkway before fleeing the area.
Narrow Avoidance of Potential Tragedy
Commissioner Blanch expressed relief that the device failed to detonate, describing the potential consequences as severe. "I think at the very least, it would have seriously injured people if not killed them," he said during a press conference.
"But as far as blast radius and all of those things we will have that device tested in a more detailed sense through chemical analysis and reconstruction." Police moved swiftly after being alerted by witnesses, treating the situation as a "potential mass casualty event" according to the state's top cop.
Arrest and Investigation Details
A 31-year-old man was arrested at the scene following the incident. Forensic teams subsequently searched his residence, where officers allegedly discovered chemicals and materials "consistent with the manufacture of homemade explosives".
The accused has been charged with:
- Unlawful act or omission with intent to harm
- Making or possession of explosive under suspicious circumstances
Terrorism Motivation Under Examination
While confirming the act as hostile, Commissioner Blanch noted that terrorism classification requires further investigation. "At this stage we can show that it was what was called a hostile act," he explained.
"To be an act of terrorism, it requires one of three things, either political motivation, a religious motivation, or some type of ideology and advancing that cause. Until we understand the motivation through downloading devices, interviewing the male, or finding other materials we can't make that determination."
WA Premier Roger Cook joined Commissioner Blanch for a snap press conference on Monday where details of the emergency response were outlined. The accused is scheduled to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday as investigations continue into the disturbing incident that disrupted a major public gathering in the heart of Western Australia's capital city.
