A powerful explosion has rocked a luxury holiday hotspot in Monaco, with three people so far confirmed as being injured after what is being treated as a deliberate attack.
The victims are a couple in their 50s and 60s, both in critical condition, and a 13-year-old boy “likely connected to the couple” and less seriously injured, Monaco’s Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand, said. Emergency services flooded the district with reports of a suspect fleeing the scene and still being at large as of Monday evening (June 29), reports the Daily Star.
Mirmand added that the incident is “likely a terrorist attack” while French media report the blast occurred shortly after a man was seen leaving a backpack on Reverend‐Père‐Louis‐Folla Street at around 9pm local time. Eric Ciotti, the Mayor of Nice, confirmed the incident was being investigated as an attack, describing it as a “tragedy” in a statement on X.
Monaco’s Public Security confirmed that CCTV footage captured a man placing a backpack on the ground before walking away. Members of the public then entered the area moments before the explosion.
The full extent of the injuries sustained in the blast remains unclear. After fleeing the scene, the suspect is said to have made off on foot in the direction of Beausoleil, with Monaco’s security forces now actively pursuing him.
According to AFP, the government has confirmed that at least three people have been injured, two of whom are believed to be in a serious condition. The victims are Ukrainian and Russian, according to French police.
Nice Mayor Eric Ciotti confirmed via social media platform X that the incident is being treated as an attack. He wrote: “The attack carried out this evening is a tragedy that strikes Monaco.
“Thoughts for the victims, their families, and the people of Monaco. Total support for the security forces and emergency services mobilised.”
The suspect ran off in the direction of Beausoleil which is just over the border in France, says a British resident in Monaco.
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Talking to The Mirror she explained: “The road where the explosion happened is about 20 minutes away from where we are and he has gone to the neighbouring town of Beausoleil which is just over the border into France basically.
“So I imagine has has just disappeared into France. A lot of people live there and maybe spend their lives in Monaco because it is cheaper there.”
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