Three Injured in Monaco Parcel Bomb Explosion

An explosion rocked a residential building in Monaco on Monday night at approximately 21:00 local time. The incident, strongly suspected to be an attack, injured three people, two of whom are currently in critical condition.

The explosion occurred on Rue Révérend Père Louis Frolla, an area located near the border with France. Monaco’s Minister of State and Head of Government, Christophe Mirmand, stated that the incident is likely a planned attack. Police are now conducting an intensive investigation.

Mirmand explained that the explosion was triggered by an improvised explosive device that appeared to have been intentionally packed with bolts and iron pellets to maximise the impact of the damage.

According to reports from the French media outlet Le Figaro, CCTV footage shows a suspicious man placing a backpack at the building’s entrance before fleeing on foot towards the French border. Monaco’s Attorney General, Thibault Stéphane, also described the explosive device as a “parcel bomb.”

The victims of this incident are a family reported by local media to be of Ukrainian nationality. The victims include a middle-aged couple, aged between 50 and 60, who sustained life-threatening injuries, and a 13-year-old teenager who suffered minor injuries. As of now, local authorities stated there is no clear indication regarding the motive behind selecting the building as the target of the attack.

This act of violence immediately triggered a reaction from the neighbouring country. Éric Ciotti, the Mayor of Nice, a French city bordering Monaco, expressed his condolences via the X platform.

“The attack carried out tonight is a tragedy for Monaco,” wrote Ciotti.

The event has shocked many, given that Monaco, known as a tax-free microstate on the French Riviera, is an area traditionally regarded as highly secure and famous as a residence for the world’s billionaires. Monaco police and emergency personnel remain on high alert at the scene to hunt for the perpetrator.