Australia: Explosion in vehicle carrying gas bottles

A vehicle carrying gas bottles was driven into the headquarters of a Christian lobby group in the Australian capital of Canberra, causing an explosion, local media reported on Thursday.

Lyle Shelton, managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby Group, tweeted a photograph of a burned out van and said that no staff were injured. "A vehicle has rammed our office in Canberra & exploded all staff are safe," he posted on Twitter "I do not know the condition of the driver. Prayers appreciated." A man is believed to have driven the van towards the group's building, according to news.com.au

A closer view of the car bomb driven into the ACL office in Canberra tonight. Shocked that this could happen in Australia. pic.twitter.com/GxJQZLTFQr

— Lyle Shelton (@LyleShelton) December 21, 2016

A vehicle has rammed our office in Canberra & exploded. All staff are safe. I do not know the condition of the driver. Prayers appreciated. pic.twitter.com/R1cKOIfMTC

— Lyle Shelton (@LyleShelton) December 21, 2016

The explosion destroyed the vehicle and blew out some of the windows of the office building, it said. The ACL lobbies national and state/territory governments on Christian values. Most recently it has been campaigning against same-sex marriage. Australian Capital Territory Police did not immediately respond when asked to comment.