A Reuters photographer captured yesterday afternoon a motorist throwing improvised firebombs at an arrivals center in the British city of Dover.

The bombs caused minimal damage to the center, with two staff slightly injured. According to photographer Peter Nicholls, the driver committed suicide shortly after his act nearby. “It took less than five minutes from calm to chaos and his death.”

Nicholls was at the asylum center near the city’s port to take some general photos of the UK’s asylum crisis. Migrants who have been waiting to cross from France by boat must report to this registration office. Several hundred people arrived again on Sunday.

Burning fireworks

The routine work was interrupted when Nicholls heard a bang. “At first I thought it was to scare birds,” said the photographer, who then saw it was a man detonating incendiary bombs.

“He was running around screaming with his arms up,” says Nicholls. “I thought it was a funny joke at first.”

He recorded the man throwing packs of flammable liquid with flaming fireworks in the middle. The fire was quickly extinguished by employees.

After the arson, the man sped away in his car against the traffic. Shortly thereafter, Nicholls heard new pops and saw smoke billowing from a gas pump.

Once there, the photographer saw the man’s car, which turned out to be a suicide. Shortly thereafter, the police arrived and the car was rendered invisible. Officials later reported that more explosives were found in the car.

Nothing is known about the perpetrator. His motive is also unclear. The asylum crisis is a contentious issue in the country, with heated debates for and against tougher policies. Secretary Braverman described the incident as appalling.