Explosions and gunfire at resort in Manila

Armed police have been deployed to an entertainment resort in the Philippines’ capital Manila after gunfire and explosions were heard inside the building. Several people were injured before officers gained control of the situation early on Friday morning.

Islamic State claimed responsibility, according to the Site Intelligence Group, a US-based organisation that monitors militant websites. 

But within hours, the Philippines police chief said that, as far as he was concerned, there was no indication that the incident was a terror attack.

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A fire was still burning on the second floor of the building on Friday morning, the local Fire Protection Bureau’s spokesman, Ian Manalo, said. The military’s spokesman, Restituto Padilla, said: “We are monitoring the situation. The police are on top of the situation. We will issue a statement when we have a complete picture of the incident.”

The Philippine Red Cross said it had taken three people to hospital after the incident, which happened at around 2am local time (6pm GMT). Pictures circulating on social media showing smoke pouring out of a building at Resort World Manila, which is close to the city’s airport.

The Manila Times quoted Fernando Atienza, a representative of the aid organisation, as saying that at least 25 people had been injured and some people had suffered serious injuries because they jumped from the second floor of the hotel. The resort’s chief operating officer, Stephen Reilly, confirmed that shots had been fired and that the building was in lockdown.