Transport for London spokeswoman said the District line had been suspended between Earls Court and Wimbledon due to a security alert.

The Metropolitan and British Transport police forces, including armed officers, were at the scene, along with the London ambulance service, though none was immediately able to provide further details on what had happened.

A witness said there were injuries at the station after a “stampede” of passengers.

BBC news reader Sophie Raworth said she had seen a woman with burns “from top to toe” being stretchered into an ambulance.

Media technology consultant Richard Aylmer-Hall, 53, was sitting on the District line train bound for central London at about 8.20am when he said panic unfolded around him.

“Suddenly there was panic, lots of people shouting, screaming, lots of screaming,” he said. “There was a woman on the platform who said she had seen a bag, a flash and a bang, so obviously something had gone off.”

He added: “I saw crying women, there was lots of shouting and screaming, there was a bit of a crush on the stairs going down to the streets. Some people got pushed over and trampled on. I saw two women being treated by ambulance crews.”

Armed police are at the scene.

London Ambulance Service said it had sent multiple resources to the scene including a hazardous area response team.

We will bring you more details here as soon as we have them.

