Three people were injured, two of them critically, after an explosion rocked a residential building in Monaco on Monday evening in what authorities believe was a deliberate attack.
According to BBC, the blast occurred shortly before 9:00 p.m. local time on Rue Révérend Père Louis Frolla, near the French border, after a bag was left outside the building.
Monaco’s Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand, said investigators believe the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device containing bolts and pellets.
“It is very likely an attack,” Mirmand said, adding that police had launched an investigation into the incident.
The Monaco government said surveillance footage captured a suspect fleeing the scene towards France shortly after the explosion.
More than 100 police officers and emergency responders were deployed to the area as investigators secured the scene and assisted victims.
Mirmand described the incident as unprecedented in the principality.
“This is the first time in history, to my knowledge, that such an act has taken place in the principality,” he said.
The three injured victims were taken to a hospital in the nearby French city of Nice, while officials said two of them remained in critical condition.
Monaco’s Prince Albert II condemned the explosion, describing it as “a heinous crime” and “a shock to the entire Monaco community.”
He said all relevant state services had been mobilised and were working closely with French authorities as investigations continue.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates on the incident on Tuesday.
