The Principality of Monaco, known as a haven for the wealthy and luxury yachts, has become the scene of an unprecedented security alert, after an explosive device exploded targeting a residential building on Monday evening, wounding three people, including Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolaev, while the authorities announced the launch of a massive manhunt for a suspect who was seen leaving bags at the site of the accident before fleeing towards the French border.
Monaco’s Minister of State, Christophe Merman, confirmed that initial indicators suggest that what happened was an “attack,” describing the incident as the first of its kind in the history of the emirate.
Surveillance cameras reveal the suspect
According to the French newspaper Le Figaro, surveillance camera recordings showed a man placing a backpack at the entrance to the residential building minutes before the explosion, while police said that the suspect left the site on foot, heading towards the French border, and it is believed that he headed to the neighboring town of Beausoleil.
The authorities announced the publication of a photo of the suspect, in an attempt to obtain information leading to determining his identity and whereabouts.
A Ukrainian billionaire was injured
Police and investigation sources confirmed that Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolaev, ranked 23rd among the 100 richest people in Ukraine, was among those injured in the explosion.
Monaco’s Public Prosecutor, Thibaut Stephane, said that two of the injured were in critical condition, while reports indicated that the victims had Ukrainian citizenship.
He also explained that the suspect left a bag or a package inside the lobby of the building before leaving, stressing that investigations have not yet revealed the reason for targeting the building or the motive behind the attack.
An explosive device stuffed with nails and metal balls
Initial investigations revealed that the explosive device contained metal nails and metal balls (cartridges), an indication that it was designed to cause as many injuries as possible, while the French channel BFM TV described the device as a “parcel bomb.”
A couple in their fifties or sixties were seriously injured in the explosion, while a 13-year-old boy, believed to be a relative of them, suffered less serious injuries.
Authorities: All hypotheses are under investigation
State Minister Christoph Meerman said that investigations are still ongoing, and all hypotheses are on the table, adding: “It is likely to be an attack,” noting that this incident represents a historical precedent for the emirate.
He added: “As far as I know, this is the first time in history that such an attack has occurred in Monaco.”
Security alert and French solidarity
The explosion occurred at approximately nine o’clock in the evening, local time, on a street located along the French border, which required a large alert for security forces and ambulances, who cordoned off the area and began collecting evidence and assessing the damage.
For his part, the mayor of the French city of Nice, Eric Ciotti, described the incident as “a disaster that struck Monaco,” expressing on the “X” platform his solidarity with the victims and their families, and his support for the security forces and emergency services involved in dealing with the incident.
The Principality of Monaco, known as a haven for the wealthy and luxury yachts, has turned into a stage for unprecedented security mobilization after an explosive device targeted a residential building on Monday evening, resulting in the injury of three individuals, including Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolayev. Authorities announced the launch of a wide manhunt for a suspect seen leaving bags at the scene before fleeing towards the French border.
Monaco’s Minister of State Christophe Merlman confirmed that initial indicators suggest that what occurred was an “attack,” describing the incident as the first of its kind in the history of the principality.
Surveillance cameras reveal the suspect
According to the French newspaper Le Figaro, surveillance footage showed a man placing a backpack at the entrance of the residential building just minutes before the explosion, while police stated that the suspect left the site on foot heading towards the French border, believed to be heading to the nearby town of Beausoleil.
Authorities announced the release of a photo of the suspect in an attempt to gather information leading to his identification and whereabouts.
Injury of a Ukrainian billionaire
Police and investigation sources confirmed that Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolayev, ranked 23rd among the 100 richest individuals in Ukraine, was among those injured in the explosion.
The prosecutor in Monaco, Thibaut Stefan, stated that two of the injured are in critical condition, while reports indicated that the victims hold Ukrainian nationality.
He also clarified that the suspect left a bag or package inside the lobby of the building before departing, emphasizing that investigations have not yet revealed the reason for targeting the building or the motive behind the attack.
Explosive device filled with nails and metal balls
Initial investigations revealed that the explosive device contained metal nails and metal balls (shot), indicating that it was designed to cause as many injuries as possible, while French channel BFM TV described the device as a “parcel bomb.”
A couple in their fifties or sixties sustained life-threatening injuries in the explosion, while a 13-year-old boy, believed to be a relative, suffered less severe injuries.
Authorities: All hypotheses are under investigation
Minister of State Christophe Merlman stated that investigations are still ongoing, and all hypotheses are on the table, adding: “It is likely to be an attack,” noting that this incident represents a historical precedent for the principality.
He added: “To my knowledge, this is the first time in history that such an attack has occurred in Monaco.”
Security alert and French solidarity
The explosion occurred around 9 PM local time on a street adjacent to the French border, prompting a wide mobilization of security and emergency services, which cordoned off the area and began collecting evidence and assessing damage.
For his part, the mayor of Nice, France, Eric Ciotti, described the incident as a “disaster that struck Monaco,” expressing his solidarity with the victims and their families via the platform “X,” and supporting the security forces and emergency services involved in responding to the incident.
