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Powerful Explosion Injures Three in Monaco; Authorities Call it 'Intentional'
🇪🇸 Spain /Crime & Justice

Powerful Explosion Injures Three in Monaco; Authorities Call it 'Intentional'

From El País · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A powerful explosion occurred in Monaco, injuring three people, two critically.
  • The incident, described as "intentional" by authorities, involved a backpack left at a building entrance.
  • Investigators are examining surveillance footage of a suspect fleeing the scene, and the victims are reportedly a Ukrainian family, possibly linked to an oligarch.

A powerful explosion rocked Monaco late Monday night, injuring three people, with two sustaining critical injuries. The Principality's government has classified the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 p.m. on Rue Révérend Père Louis Frolla, as an "intentional" act.

The attack committed tonight is a tragedy that strikes Monaco. Thoughts for the victims, their families and the Monegasque people. Total support for the security forces and rescue services mobilized.

— Éric CiottiThe mayor of Nice reacting to the explosion in Monaco.

Surveillance cameras captured an individual placing a backpack in front of a building's entrance just as people were entering. The suspect then fled the scene on foot, heading towards the neighboring French town of Beausoleil. The explosion was reportedly heard several blocks away from the incident site.

Initial reports indicate the three victims are members of the same Ukrainian family. The parents, one of whom is suggested to be a Ukrainian oligarch, are in critical condition, while a minor involved is reported to be stable. According to the Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand, the explosive device appeared to contain screws and pellets. "Police services are carrying out investigations and evidence collection," Mirmand stated, adding that this appears to be the first such act in Monaco's history.

Police services are carrying out investigations and evidence collection.

— Christophe MirmandThe Minister of State of Monaco providing an update on the investigation.

The incident has drawn parallels to recent violence on the French Riviera, which has seen clashes between drug trafficking gangs. The mayor of Nice, Éric Ciotti, expressed solidarity, calling the event a "tragedy" and offering support to Monaco's security and emergency services.

As far as I know, this is the first time in history that an act of this type has occurred in the Principality.

— Christophe MirmandCommenting on the unprecedented nature of the explosion in Monaco.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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