BBC Information
CCTV footage reveals the dramatic second a bomb exploded in central Athens, damaging the places of work of Greek railway firm Hellenic Practice.
A backpack containing the explosive was reportedly left exterior the workplace block late on Friday. Police stated nameless calls had been made to Greek media retailers warning of the assault. No fatalities or accidents have been reported.
Although the reason for the explosion shouldn’t be but identified, it comes amid widespread anger over a railway disaster that left 57 useless in 2023.
Greece’s Transport Minister Christos Dimas condemned the explosion as a “legal act” that had “endangered the lives of individuals”.
ReutersNative information retailers Efsyn, a Greek every day newspaper, and web site Zougla – each of which acquired a name – stated the explosive system had apparently been positioned in a padlocked backpack on a scooter with out licence plates.
A police bomb disposal squad arrived too late to soundly detonate the system earlier than it exploded, they stated.
Dimas stated in an announcement: “It is a legal act, which endangered the lives of individuals, workers and passers-by, in a central level of Athens and through peak visitors hour.”
He added: “Nothing justifies terrorism, no act of violence brings justice. The authorities and the judiciary now have the ground.”
The explosion occurred near one of many Greek capital’s busiest highways, Leoforos Andrea Siggrou.
ReutersHellenic Practice confirmed no workers or passing residents had been injured and that the blast brought on “restricted materials harm”.
It stated: “Our firm unequivocally condemns all types of violence and tensions that gasoline a local weather of toxicity that undermines all progress.”
In February 2023, a freight train and a passenger train carrying 350 individuals travelling in reverse instructions had been by accident placed on the identical observe. Most people killed had been younger college students, whereas dozens had been injured.
A number of protests have been held in Greece since, together with earlier this yr to mark the crash’s second anniversary.
These demonstrations descended into violence, with hooded protesters seen throwing rocks and petrol bombs at police. Officers responded with tear gasoline and water cannons.
An inquiry concluded in February that the practice crash was brought on by human error, poor upkeep and insufficient staffing.
A date for a trial is but to be introduced.
