A powerful explosion rocked the Principality of Monaco last night , injuring three Ukrainian nationals , two of them seriously. The explosion, according to authorities, was caused by an "arson attack," and "it is highly likely an attack ," Minister of State (head of government) Christophe Mirmand told AFP. According to information from Le Figaro, the three injured are from the same Ukrainian family . The two parents, aged 50-60, one of whom is believed to be a Kiev oligarch, Vadim Ermolaev , are in very serious condition with a guarded prognosis . The 13-year-old teenager is in less serious condition. Ermolaev has been a "VIP refugee" in Monaco since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, according to a source close to the investigation. He was in his condominium with his partner and son.

The explosion occurred around 9 p.m. in a residential building located between Boulevard d'Italie and Rue du Révérend Père Louis Frolla, along the border with France. Surveillance cameras captured an individual placing a backpack in front of the building's entrance. As the man fled on foot toward the nearby town of Beausoleil, the device detonated just as other people were entering the same building , although it is unclear whether they were the intended target. The device likely contained bolts and shrapnel , Mirmand added. "Law enforcement is currently gathering evidence," he explained. "To my knowledge, this is the first time in history that an act of this kind has occurred in the Principality," the Minister of State added. Emergency services, police, and security forces were mobilized. In addition to Mirmand and Thibault, the President of the National Council and a close associate of Prince Albert II were present at the scene. According to a police source, local authorities have activated the "red plan".

This plan envisages "a gradual increase in resources based on the number of victims" during "a violent incident that causes, or is likely to cause, numerous victims," the principality's website explains. Sources close to the Interior Ministry told Le Figaro that "French rescue teams are on site" and that "police cooperation has been initiated to track down the perpetrator, who has fled." Nice Mayor Eric Ciotti expressed his condolences on social media for the "attack," which he called a "tragedy." "My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the people of Monaco. I offer full support to the police and emergency services mobilized," the mayor added. "I express my deepest solidarity with the victims, their families, and the people of Monaco" in the face of "this attack," wrote Charles Ange Ginésy, president of the Alpes-Maritimes departmental council, also on the same social network.

(Unioneonline)

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