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Two shot dead at Antrim Army base | |
(10 minutes later) | |
Two men have been shot dead during a gun attack at an Army base in County Antrim, police have said. | |
Unconfirmed reports said five others were feared wounded, but it is not clear if they were civilians or military personnel. | |
The incident took place at the Massereene Army base in Antrim, 16 miles north of Belfast, at 2140 GMT. | |
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence described the shooting as a "drive-by" attack. | A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence described the shooting as a "drive-by" attack. |
'Loud bangs' | 'Loud bangs' |
It is believed that there were two long busts of gunfire during the incident. | It is believed that there were two long busts of gunfire during the incident. |
A major security operation is under way and the area surrounding the barracks, which is home to 38 Engineering Regiment, has been sealed off. | A major security operation is under way and the area surrounding the barracks, which is home to 38 Engineering Regiment, has been sealed off. |
One witness who lives near the base told the BBC how he looked to the sky after hearing what he thought were fireworks. | One witness who lives near the base told the BBC how he looked to the sky after hearing what he thought were fireworks. |
He added: "Then I heard a lot of loud bangs again, only it was a lot more than there was initially - maybe between 10 and 20. | He added: "Then I heard a lot of loud bangs again, only it was a lot more than there was initially - maybe between 10 and 20. |
"Then the siren at the Army barracks went off. Then all you heard was the police sirens and ambulances and there was at least six ambulances. | "Then the siren at the Army barracks went off. Then all you heard was the police sirens and ambulances and there was at least six ambulances. |
"There was definitely six of the ambulances and God knows how many police cars - they just came out of the police station one after the other." | "There was definitely six of the ambulances and God knows how many police cars - they just came out of the police station one after the other." |
No-one has so far claimed responsibility. | No-one has so far claimed responsibility. |
The attack comes shortly after Sir Hugh Orde, the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, requested the Special Reconnaissance Regiment's help to gather intelligence on dissident republicans. | The attack comes shortly after Sir Hugh Orde, the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, requested the Special Reconnaissance Regiment's help to gather intelligence on dissident republicans. |