According to the BBC, police rushed to the scene in the Kingsway area, where a cordon was set up and residents were asked to leave their homes as a precaution.
Authorities have asked the public to avoid nearby areas while emergency operations continue.
Local political leaders expressed shock at the incident. Sinn Féin councilor Danny Baker said preliminary details were still unclear but appealed for calm, adding he hoped no one was hurt.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson called the reports “deeply concerning” and warned that any attempts by dissident republicans to target police or intimidate communities must be dealt with firmly and under the law.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed officers were dealing with the ongoing security alert and said further updates would be issued as the situation develops.
Meanwhile, Lagan Valley MP Socha Eastwood described the incident as “distressing and disturbing”, adding that just weeks earlier a similar attempted attack involving an improvised explosive device had occurred in Lagan.
She added that there were no reports of casualties in the latest explosion and praised emergency responders for their quick action.
