A double decker bus dramatically explodes in the heart of London – but it is all for a movie.
Londoners were left confused as they saw the bus go up in flames as it drove along Lambeth Bridge in central London on Sunday.
Anyone worried about the exploding bus on Lambeth Bridge just now? It was just for a movie. pic.twitter.com/1ypWZZ6jPp
— Nigel Huddleston MP (@HuddlestonNigel) February 7, 2016
@se1 fairly worrying robe woken up to an explosion and my first blurry eyed vision is this on Lambeth bridge!! pic.twitter.com/o91Up9vbgO
— Anders (@IndiAndersJones) February 7, 2016
Huge explosion saw bodies scattered all over the place, making a MOVIE right outside my flat #lambethbridge pic.twitter.com/RVj1nzaNBN
— James Kelly (@james_tweet1) February 7, 2016
Signs had been put in place alerting residents the bridge would be closed between the hours of 8am and 12pm, with Transport for London also confirming the closure “due to filming”.
Lambeth Bridge shut for filming tomorrow morning. Beware of controlled explosions! pic.twitter.com/TKz8xuatdO
— London SE1 (@se1) February 6, 2016
Lambeth Bridge is currently closed in both directions due to filming on the bridge.
— TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) February 7, 2016
Don't be concerned if you hear or see explosions on Lambeth Bridge today, filming is taking place including loud special effects.
— MPSonthewater (@MPSonthewater) February 7, 2016
In a notice warning residents about it, film producers described the film as a “gritty action thriller”.
It is directed by Martin Campbell, who was behind James Bond films Casino Royale and GoldenEye.
The notice, posted on Twitter, stated: “The explosion is controlled and operated by our special effects team.”
It added: “Every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of the people in the area.”
@Jennifalconer It's for a film called The Foreigner. pic.twitter.com/mzrwRuzWrt
— Michael Henderson (@GadgetMichael) February 7, 2016
Following the filming, London Fire Brigade reassured residents the explosion was in fact a stunt for a scene in new action flick The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan.
If you saw this on #Lambeth bridge this morning don't worry it was for a film & not a real incident. https://t.co/D42TNWi2U5
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) February 7, 2016
Yet despite the warnings, many people attacked the decision to stage the stunt in the capital given the history of London’s 7/7 terror attacks.
Not the brightest idea to do something terrorist-y in let's say the terror capital of the UK😲, haven't Londoners seen enough? Lambeth Bridge
— Iain (@Keroffin) February 7, 2016
@TfL That bus filming on Lambeth Bridge is a disgrace, how dare you allow that when 7/7 is still recent history. You should all be ashamed.
— OnThe308 (@OnThe308) February 7, 2016
It doesnt sit quite right with me blowing up a bus on lambeth bridge for a movie, given the high alert London is currently at. And 7/7.
— Chris (@Vazza2011) February 7, 2016
So with the country on terrorist alert who thought blowing up a bus on Lambeth Bridge for a film was a good idea? Money talking again
— Beast of Stephen (@Stevecathutch) February 7, 2016
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