London Terror Attack: At least 29 injured as home-made device explodes on underground train

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We start in London, where a massive manhunt is underway, following the explosion of a homemade bomb aboard a packed commuter train. At least 29 were hurt in what police are calling a terrorist attack. Britain has raised its terror threat to critical - the highest level. CGTN's Richard Bestic reports from the scene in West London.

The bomb was contained in a plastic bucket left in a carriage of a subway train. Witnesses said they heard an explosion and saw a fireball. Thousands of commuters ran for their lives in panic.

SHU-CHEN WARNER WITNESS I heard a big bang. Meanwhile, I heard the ladies screaming and crying.

CHARLIE CRAVEN WITNESS I can only describe it as a fireball, because that's what we saw, coming towards you with the heat coming towards you.

OLANIYI SHOKUNBI WITNESS All I see is just like hundreds of people just running out people are shouting and screaming, so I just run out. Within minutes, the entire area around the West London train station was in lockdown, as police forensic officers began a painstaking examination of the scene.

It's believed the bomb may have partially detonated early than the attackers planned, offering Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command the possibility of clues to the identity of the terrorists. An emergency meeting of ministers and intelligence chiefs was immediately called by Prime Minister Theresa May, who condemned the attack.

THERESA MAY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER This was divised with intended cause for significant harm. People have been injured, and being all treated in hospital and affected by this attack. Scotland Yard says hundreds of officers across the UK capital are involved in the manhunt for those responsible, including Britain's domestic security service MI5.

MARK ROWLEY SCOTLAND YARD ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER There are many urgent inquiries ongoing now with hundreds of detectives involved looking at CCTV, forensic work and speaking to witnesses. This investigation is supported by our colleagues from MI5 and bringing their intelligence expertise to bear on the case.

RICHARD BESTIC LONDON There'll be a double focus to the initial stages of this investigation: Picking through the remains of the bomb for fingerprints or traces of DNA. And then scrolling through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage. The greatest, challenge time, for fear there may be more such attacks in the making. RB CGTN Parsons Green subway London