A man was captured hurling a petrol bomb at a migrant centre before killing himself, according to a witness.
Kent Police were called at roughly 11.20am today to a Border Force centre in Dover, where two to three incendiary devices had caused a fire.
The suspect was described as a white man wearing a striped top, who drove up to the centre before killing himself, said a Reuters photographer who was present at the scene.
Police said a suspect was identified and located at a nearby petrol station where he was confirmed dead.
Photos have now been released showing a man, believed to be in his late 40s or early 50s, throwing an object which appears to have a firework attached out of his car window.
Local Gary Smith, 31, claimed the suspect was laughing as he flung the bombs from a white Seat four-wheel drive vehicle.
He said: “I was walking over a nearby bridge and I could see him throwing the bombs. They we’re making loud bangs. I think he threw about four or five.
"He was just laughing while he was doing it. It was crazy. The man looked like he was in his 50s.
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"I can't believe what happened afterwards too at the petrol station. I feel sick."
Another witness described the incendiary devices hitting the processing centre as sounding like "end of year fireworks".
The lorry driver, who gave his name as Francisco, came across the scene as he ran back to his truck. He said he started to run after hearing loud bangs similar to fireworks.
Francisco added: “There were loud bangs - about eight of them. It was like end of year fireworks. I ran back to the petrol station to see what was going on. It seems the bangs were coming from above the cliff.
“I got to the petrol station at the same time as police. It wasn’t a nice sight. I can’t believe why someone would do that. I feel sorry for the man.
"There were no customers in the car park at the time thankfully. Just the people in the shop.”
A local MP said the individual had committed suicide.
Another witness told Kent Online: "I heard what I thought was cannons going off and thought it must have been an event.
"We paused the TV to hear. There were at least six or seven.
“To think it was actually explosions that we heard is just so upsetting. I really hope no one is hurt.”
And a stunned worker at the petrol station said: “I swapped shifts with the two people who were on at the time. They just wanted to get home. They looked really upset.
“When I came in to work I didn’t want to look at it. I wouldn’t have slept for days.”
Police cordoned off the area today as detectives examined the scene.
Two forensics officers in white boiler suits could be seen searching the forecourt of the garage, including the grit bins and the home fuel display.
The incident came after almost 1,000 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel on Saturday.
A Home Office spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident at Western Jet Foil, Dover, and police are in attendance.
"It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage."
Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed its crews had put out fires.
Natalie Elphicke, the Conservative MP for Dover, said she was "deeply shocked".
She later told LBC radio: "I understand that the Dover immigration centre that is at the Port of Dover was firebombed with a number of devices, before an individual then committed suicide."
She said the motivation of the perpetrator is so far unknown, but the centre is "a well-known facility" where small boats arrive before people are taken to the Manston asylum processing centre in Kent.
"It's an absolutely dreadful situation that we have now at Dover," she added.
"I understand that all the people who are at the centre are being looked after and precautions are being made for their safety."
Ms Elphicke also said: "I think it is fair to say that tensions have been running high over the last period.
"And indeed, I'd raised my concerns about that with the immigration minister earlier this week."
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick tweeted: "I am being kept regularly updated by the police.
"My sympathies are with those involved and my thanks and admiration are with Kent Police and Border Force officers as they go about their essential work to keep us safe."
Mr Jenrick will visit both Dover and the Manston processing centre to "take charge of the situation", Ms Elphicke said.
Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
