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Rescue workers work near the scene of the explosion in downtown Nashville, Tennessee
Photo: Mark Humphrey / AP
An explosion in downtown Nashville early on Christmas morning shook the largely deserted streets, shattering windows, damaged buildings and injured three people.
According to the authorities, an intentional act is assumed.
The exploded caravan is said to have played a message from a loudspeaker minutes beforehand, warning of the impending explosion, the police said.
“This area must be evacuated immediately.
This area must now be evacuated.
If you can hear this message, evacuate now.
If you can hear this message, evacuate now, ”the recording read for several minutes, which later aired on NewsChannel5.
Nashville's chief of police, John Drake, said the tape warned that "the bomb would explode in 15 minutes."
Police described the vehicle, which was parked in the middle of the Tennessee capital at 6 a.m. on Friday, as an RV or trailer.
The local police have now published a picture of the vehicle on Twitter and asked for information.
Air traffic interrupted
Flights from the Nashville airport have been suspended due to telecommunications issues related to the downtown Nashville explosion.
It was expected that flight operations would resume at noon.
Three people were taken to hospitals for treatment, but none were in critical condition, said police spokesman Don Aaron.
Authorities do not know if anyone was in the vehicle when it exploded.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper said the city is fortunate that few people have been injured.
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kim / Reuters / AP