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Explosion in Monaco Injures Three, Two in Critical Condition

Monaco and French authorities treating the blast as attempted homicide have launched a cross‑border manhunt for a suspect seen on surveillance.

Overview

  • A package left in the lobby of a residential building exploded on Monday evening, June 29, wounding three members of the same Ukrainian family and seriously injuring two adults.
  • Surveillance footage shows a person placing a backpack at the entrance and fleeing on foot toward Beausoleil in France, prompting joint searches by Monegasque and French police.
  • Officials say the device was likely designed to maim, containing bolts and metal fragments, and investigators are pursuing a probe for attempted homicide rather than terrorism.
  • Media reports identify one of the critically wounded as businessman Vadym Ermolaev, and authorities are examining multiple leads including organised‑crime reprisals, fraud networks and other intelligence‑related lines.
  • Monaco activated emergency plans, tightened border checks and is coordinating with European partners as the inquiry continues and no arrest or definitive motive has yet been announced.