Monaco prosecutors say no ‘terror’ evidence after blast, suspect at large
✓Search under way for suspect who fled scene after explosive device placed at entrance to residential building wounded three, authorities say.
Authorities in Monaco say at this stage have ruled out “terrorism” as a motive in an explosion that left three people wounded.
The powerful blast took place at the entrance to a residential building on Monday evening, after a man had apparently left a package there.
Prosecutor Stephane Thibault told reporters on Tuesday the suspect who fled on foot acted alone and remained at large.
security-camera footage showed the suspect walking in a street wearing a black jacket, light-coloured trousers, white shoes and a black hat that partly conceals his face.
Police have opened an attempted murder probe but are not qualifying it as a “terrorism” investigation, said Thibault, adding that the motive remained unclear.
One of the three injured is a woman in life-threatening condition, while her partner and a 13-year-old child suffered less severe injuries but remain in the hospital. Thibault did not provide their identities.
Media reports identified Ukrainian construction tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev as being among the injured. Ukrainian news site Ukrainska Pravda said he was targeted by Ukrainian sanctions in 2023 for alleged ties to Russia.
The three victims were “apparently returning home peacefully” in the early evening, according to surveillance footage, Christophe Mirmand, the minister of state for Monaco, told French news broadcaster LCI
“They were caught in the explosion as they crossed the threshold of their apartment building,” he said.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said it was in touch with authorities in Monaco, saying the explosion wounded three people of Ukrainian descent, who are members of one family. It did not name them, but said Ukrainian authorities are checking their citizenship.
Yermolaiev, a multimillionaire Monaco resident, has been subject to sanctions from Ukraine since December 2023, which Ukrainian security services reportedly said stemmed from his alcohol business activity in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Monaco is a microstate with a population of 38,000 people, where many ultra-wealthy people reside. It is considered to be one of the safest places in the world, with an extensive surveillance network of thousands of security cameras covering most public spaces.
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An explosive device detonated at the entrance to a residential building in Monaco on Monday evening, injuring three people—one critically. Prosecutors say the suspect placed a package at the building entrance before detonating it and fleeing on foot. Security footage captured the suspect wearing a black jacket, light trousers, white shoes and black hat. Police opened an attempted murder investigation but did not classify it as terrorism, citing unclear motives. One victim, a woman, remains in life-threatening condition; her partner and a 13-year-old child sustained less severe injuries. Ukrainian authorities confirmed the three injured are of Ukrainian descent and members of one family. Media identified Ukrainian construction magnate Vadym Yermolaiev among them; he has been subject to Ukrainian sanctions since December 2023 reportedly related to business activities in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Read the full story at NPR ↗ · The Guardian ↗ · BBC ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗ · Sky News ↗
Search under way for suspect who fled scene after explosive device placed at entrance to residential building wounded three, authorities say.
Authorities in Monaco say at this stage have ruled out “terrorism” as a motive in an explosion that left three people wounded.
The powerful blast took place at the entrance to a residential building on Monday evening, after a man had apparently left a package there.
Prosecutor Stephane Thibault told reporters on Tuesday the suspect who fled on foot acted alone and remained at large.
security-camera footage showed the suspect walking in a street wearing a black jacket, light-coloured trousers, white shoes and a black hat that partly conceals his face.
Police have opened an attempted murder probe but are not qualifying it as a “terrorism” investigation, said Thibault, adding that the motive remained unclear.
One of the three injured is a woman in life-threatening condition, while her partner and a 13-year-old child suffered less severe injuries but remain in the hospital. Thibault did not provide their identities.
Media reports identified Ukrainian construction tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev as being among the injured. Ukrainian news site Ukrainska Pravda said he was targeted by Ukrainian sanctions in 2023 for alleged ties to Russia.
The three victims were “apparently returning home peacefully” in the early evening, according to surveillance footage, Christophe Mirmand, the minister of state for Monaco, told French news broadcaster LCI
“They were caught in the explosion as they crossed the threshold of their apartment building,” he said.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said it was in touch with authorities in Monaco, saying the explosion wounded three people of Ukrainian descent, who are members of one family. It did not name them, but said Ukrainian authorities are checking their citizenship.
Yermolaiev, a multimillionaire Monaco resident, has been subject to sanctions from Ukraine since December 2023, which Ukrainian security services reportedly said stemmed from his alcohol business activity in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Monaco is a microstate with a population of 38,000 people, where many ultra-wealthy people reside. It is considered to be one of the safest places in the world, with an extensive surveillance network of thousands of security cameras covering most public spaces.
Read the full story at NPR ↗ · The Guardian ↗ · BBC ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗ · Sky News ↗
An explosive device was placed at the entrance to a residential building in Monaco on Monday evening Three people were injured in the blast One victim is in life-threatening condition; two others suffered less severe injuries A suspect fled the scene on foot and remains at large Security footage shows the suspect wearing a black jacket, light trousers, white shoes and black hat Prosecutor Stephane Thibault said the suspect acted alone Authorities ruled out terrorism as a motive Police opened an attempted murder investigation The three injured are of Ukrainian descent and members of one family Ukrainian construction tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev was identified by media as among the injured Yermolaiev has been subject to Ukrainian sanctions since December 2023 related to alleged business activities in Russian-occupied Crimea
Read the full story at NPR ↗ · The Guardian ↗ · BBC ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗ · Sky News ↗
- An explosive device at a Monaco apartment building injured three people on Monday evening; authorities ruled out terrorism as a motive
- Prosecutor says the suspect fled on foot and remains at large; police opened an attempted murder investigation
- One victim is in life-threatening condition; media reports identified a Ukrainian construction tycoon among the injured, subject to Ukrainian sanctions since 2023