Monaco explosion a ‘malicious act’ as three injured including Ukrainian oligarch | World | News

The explosion in Monaco was criticized as a “malicious act” after three people were injured in a horror explosion on the holiday hotspot Rue Reverend-Pere-Louis-Frolla.

According to authorities, the attack occurred around 21:00 local time and injured three people, two of whom were in critical condition.

The suspect in the incident is “on the run” as CCTV footage shows him throwing his backpack in the area before leaving the scene.

All of the victims are believed to be Ukrainian.

Monaco State Minister Christophe Mirmand said that a couple in their 50s or 60s injured in the explosion had life-threatening injuries, while a 13-year-old boy, “most likely related to the couple”, suffered less serious injuries.

One of the victims was locally identified as Ukrainian oligarch Vadim Ermolaev.

The 58-year-old is considered one of Ukraine’s richest men and made his fortune as a property developer before leaving the country with his family.

According to reports, Ermolaev became a Cypriot citizen in 2019, and in December 2023, Ukraine imposed sanctions on him, including asset restrictions.

It is believed that Ermolaev’s wife was also injured in the terrible incident.

The young victim, who was treated at the scene, and the two adults were taken to the Pasteur Hospital in Nice for treatment.

The Monégasque government claimed that the incident was a “malicious act”.

“This is probably a terrorist attack,” Monaco’s Minister of State (head of government) Christophe Mirmand told AFP.

He added that the explosive device probably contained bolts and pellets.

“The police are currently investigating. As far as I know, this is the first time in history that such an action has occurred in the Principality,” Mirmand said.

Police investigations are continuing to capture the suspect, who was seen on CCTV ‘moving towards the French border’.

In the footage, the man is seen leaving his backpack on the property before fleeing the scene on foot.

Eric Ciotti, mayor of neighboring Nice, commented on the incident about