IRA Wreaks Chaos in Belfast

BELFAST, Northern Ireland — The outlawed Irish Republican Army wreaked havoc today in Belfast by planting at least five bombs, hijacking nearly 50 vehicles and calling in more than 50 bomb scares. No injuries were reported.

Traffic was tied up for hours and dozens of buildings were evacuated because of the action by the IRA. Police said masked gunmen hijacked nearly 50 buses, cars and trucks and abandoned them in roadways to increase the confusion. Four bombs exploded and police discovered a van with loaded automatic mortar launchers near a police station.