Multiple casualties in petrol bomb and flamethrower attack at pro-Israel rally in Colorado

Eight people have been injured

The incident happened in the city of Boulder, Coloardo, 30 miles from Denver.

Eight people were injured in the attack by the man with a homemade flamethrower and petrol bombs.

Police received calls around 13:26 local time (20:26 BST) about a man with a weapon and people being set on fire, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said at a news conference.

The incident targeted a group of people holding a walk in remembrance of Israeli hostages in Gaza with the man shouting "Free Palestine" as he attacked.

The man was arrested at the scene.

Boulder police said that four women and four men aged between 52 and 88 were injured and rushed to hospitals while others had to be airlifted.

One person is reported to be in a critical condition.

The FBI have called the attack an "act of terrorism".

Mark Michalek, who heads the FBI's Denver office, said witnesses told authorities that the suspect used a "makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd."

Michalek also named the suspect as 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman.

BBC reported that CBS News have been told by government officials that Soliman is an Egyptian national.

He was also taken to hospital after the alleged attack.

He is believed to have acted alone by government officials, as reported by Sky News.

The White House described the suspect as an "illegal alien" who had received a work permit under the Biden administration despite overstaying a tourist visa.

A large part of downtown Boulder was cordoned off as sniffer dogs and the bomb squad searched for potential devices.

However, police currently believe no one else was involved

Videos circulating online show the man bare chest holding two translucent bottles.

Police chief Steve Redfearn said initial reports stated that "people were being set on fire".

He explained injuries ranged from "very serious" to "more minor".

He told media: "When we arrived we encountered multiple victims that were injured, with injuries consistent with burns.

"We're fairly confident we have the lone suspect in custody," he added.