French police have launched an urgent “terror” probe after an explosion at the Russian consulate in Marseille this morning.
The explosion took place inside the building in France’s southern city, Russia’s consul general Stanislav Oranskiy said on Monday.
According to reports, two Molotov cocktails were thrown into the consulate’s garden around 7.30am local time.
French media reported that a blast had been heard near the consulate, and around 30 firefighters and police officers were at the scene.
According to reports, two Molotov cocktails were thrown into the consulate’s garden
REUTERS
No injuries or damages were reported. French authorities have not officially confirmed the incident as they are awaiting further information.
Authorities are also allegedly investigating a stolen vehicle found nearby.
Other reports claimed that a suspect had fled the scene but French police have not provided any details on a potential suspect or motive.
Consulate employees were told to stay indoors as police set up a security perimeter around the area, according to a French security source.
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A Marseille police source said: “There were two loud explosions and material damage, but nobody was injured.”
“The building remains in lockdown, and a criminal enquiry has been launched.”
Russian state news agency TASS reported that the Russian foreign ministry said the incident had the hallmarks of a “terror attack,” demanding an investigation from French authorities.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: “The explosions on the territory of the Russian Consulate General in Marseille have all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.”
A Marseille police source said: “There were two loud explosions and material damage, but nobody was injured”
REUTERS
“We demand (from France) exhaustive and prompt measures to investigate, as well as steps to strengthen the security of Russian foreign missions.”
Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for the Kremlin, added that it was “necessary” to strengthen “all security measures” at Russian consulates following the attack in Marseille.
“All necessary measures are being taken by diplomatic agencies to draw the attention of the host country to the need to strengthen all security measures,” he said.
The explosion occurred on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.