'Parcel bomb' explodes in Monaco residential area, leaving 2 critically injured: reports
Police in Monaco and France were reportedly searching Monday night for a man suspected of detonating a makeshift explosive device that injured several people, including two critically.
The explosion happened shortly before 9 p.m. local time in the center of Monaco, near the entrance of a residential building. Surveillance video appeared to show a man leaving a backpack at the scene moments before the blast, Reuters reported, citing French newspaper Le Figaro.
Christophe Mirmand, Monaco’s minister of state, told BFM TV that two of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries.
"No event of this nature has ever happened in the principality before," Mirmand told the outlet.
French emergency crews were sent to the scene to assist. Authorities in France and Monaco launched a joint operation to find the suspect, according to France’s Interior Ministry.
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BFM TV, citing Monaco’s prosecutor general, described the device as a "parcel bomb."
Eric Ciotti, the mayor of nearby Nice, France, condemned the incident in a post on X.
"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 mobilized," Ciotti wrote.
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Alexandra Masson, the mayor of nearby Menton, expressed support for Monaco and said her thoughts were with the victims and their families.
"I extend my full support to the Principality of Monaco during the ordeal it is going through. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and their loved ones. I express my deepest gratitude," Masson wrote.
Monaco police could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
Reuters contributed to this report.