Police say an improvised explosive device is responsible for an explosion at a Mississauga restaurant that injured 15 people, including three who paramedics say suffered "critical blast injuries."
Police say two males detonated the device inside the restaurant and are now searching for the pair, who fled the scene immediately after the blast.
They're describing one suspect as male, 5'10" to 6' with a stocky build, in his mid-20s. He is believed to have been wearing dark blue jeans, a dark zip-up hoodie pulled over his head, a baseball cap with a light grey peak, with his face covered with black cloth.
The second is a male around 5'9 to 5'10" with fair skin, a thin build, faded blue jeans, a dark hoodie pulled over his head along with a grey T-shirt and dark skate shoes.
Tactical teams outside restaurant
Peel paramedics say they were called to the scene of Bombay Bhel in the area of Hurontario Street and Eglinton Avenue East around 10:30 p.m. ET.
Tactical teams could be seen outside the restaurant as patients were loaded into ambulances. Const. Irina Yashnik said they were there as a part of a "multi-unit" response but would not say if there is any threat to public safety.
Yashnik could not say where in the building the blast originated or how many people were inside at the time.
The restaurant was evacuated and the plaza is expected to be sealed off for investigation until at least morning.
Within hours, police had tweeted photos of the suspects.
'It was really loud'
Peel Region paramedic Joe Korstanje said three people suffered critical injuries.
"We transported three of them to trauma centres in what I would say is critical condition just from blast injuries," he said.
Explosion: Multiple people injured following reports of an explosion at Bambay Bhel Restaurant 5035 Hurontario St near Eglinton in Mississauga. <a href="https://t.co/1Tb9ODag88">pic.twitter.com/1Tb9ODag88</a>
—@LateNightCam<a href="https://twitter.com/Peel_Paramedics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Peel_Paramedics</a> on scene with multiple patients at an explosion in Mississauga
—@Peel_ParamedicsRafael Conceicao, a student from Sao Paulo, Brazil, was on the patio of a restaurant close to Bombay Bhel when he heard the explosion, and rushed to help.
Andre Larrivee, who lives in a nearby condo, says he was watching television and heard a loud explosion.
"It was really loud," he said, comparing the noise to an electric generator that had exploded at a nearby construction site recently.
Other people who were shopping in neighbouring stores — and waiting for their vehicles to be released from behind the police tape — also reported hearing a loud explosion.
Police are now looking to identify the two males and are reviewing surveillance footage.
"It's a busy plaza and we're hoping someone has seen something and may have even video of the incident, so anyone who may have any information at all is asked to contact us."
India Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said in a tweet that consular support was available.
There is a blast in Indian restaurant Bombay Bhel in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. I am in constant touch with our Consul General in Toronto and Indian High Commissioner in Canada. Our missions will work round the clock. The Emergency number is : +1-647-668-4108.<br>Please RT
—@SushmaSwaraj