Blast bomb attack on students

A bedroom was severely damaged in the blast

Six people have moved out of a student house in south Belfast following a blast bomb attack.

The device, which was studded with nails, was thrown into a downstairs bedroom of the house at 0030 BST on Monday.

Three people in an adjoining living room at the time escaped serious injury but were treated for shock.

The room where the device exploded was severely damaged.

Carmel Hanna: Condemned attack

The person who slept in the bedroom was not at home.

Those living in the house, who are of mixed religion, have blamed loyalist paramilitaries for the attack.

They said they were targeted because Catholics lived in the house.

A Catholic man, who used to live in the house, moved out a month ago, following a threat from the Ulster Defence Association, they said.

One of the occupants, who did not want to be identified, said they could not stay in the house any longer.

"We have had enough and we're grateful that nobody actually got hurt," he said.

"This is our last day here and God help anybody else who lives in this house."

Condemnation

The minister for higher education said it was a blatant sectarian attack by the UDA.

Carmel Hanna, who is also the assembly member for south Belfast, said it was "clearly designed to maim and kill".

"This was a case of attempted mass murder and I am thankful that there were no casualties.

"I intend to speak to the welfare departments of the universities to see what help and advice they are giving to students regarding personal safety," she said.

Mrs Hanna called on the police in the area to be "more proactive and less passive".

The President of Queen's University Students Union, John Mackell, said the attack could not be allowed to pass without the "strongest condemnation".