Ukrainian billionaire Vadim Yermolayev and two others were seriously injured in a parcel bomb blast in Monaco. After the incident, a manhunt is going on in France and the police is conducting a massive operation in search of the suspect.
Monaco: A parcel bomb explosion inside a residential building in Monaco, Europe has spread panic in the entire region. A wealthy Ukrainian businessman, his partner and a teenager have been seriously injured in this attack. After the incident, the security agencies of France and Monaco have jointly started a manhunt operation.
The blast occurred at around 9 pm (local time) on Monday night in an apartment building on Rue Révérend Père Louis Frolla, which is very close to the French border. According to officials, the blast was caused by a parcel bomb, which consisted of nuts-bolts and small pieces of metal (pellets), which further increased the intensity of the blast.
3 people seriously injured in the attack, 4 others injured
According to Monaco’s public prosecutor Stephane Thibault, a total of three people were seriously injured in the attack, two of whom remain in critical condition and have been admitted to a hospital in the French city of Nice. The condition of a woman is said to be the most serious. Apart from this, four other people also suffered minor injuries. One of them was in a state of shock, while three others were injured by glass fragments.
Joint operation of France-Monaco police in search of suspect
Officials said the attack was not being investigated as a terrorist act but as an “attempted murder.” The investigating agencies are looking for a suspect, who was seen in CCTV footage leaving a bag inside the building before the incident.
According to the Monaco government, the suspect was seen fleeing towards the French border shortly after the explosion. Now a large-scale police operation is being conducted in the Besol region of France.
Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolayev on target
According to French media reports, the injured included wealthy Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolayev, a former major real estate developer linked to the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Yermolayev gave up his Ukrainian citizenship and took Cypriot citizenship in 2019. He is also said to have a large stake in the liquor and wine industry, particularly in the Crimea region. In 2023 he was also included in the sanctions list by the Government of Ukraine. According to Forbes report, he was the 39th richest person in Ukraine in the year 2020, with an estimated net worth of around $230 million.
Panic throughout Monaco due to explosion
Local residents said that the explosion was so strong that nearby buildings shook. An eyewitness said she was in the parking area at the time and suddenly heard a “very loud bang”. Emergency services reached the spot immediately after the blast and the injured were evacuated. Helicopters and more than 100 policemen were deployed at the scene.
Monaco administration said- this historical event
Senior Monaco government officials said such an incident was very rare in the history of the principality. The Governor of Monaco has called it an “extremely serious crime” and has ordered to speed up the investigation. Prince Albert II described the attack as a “despicable crime”, saying it was a shock to the entire country.
Investigating agencies are also investigating from international angle
Although it has not yet been considered a terrorist attack, but the investigating agencies are also investigating the international connections of this incident. Business networks linked to Ukraine, Russia and Crimea are also being monitored.
Police in France and Monaco are now trying to find out whether the attack could be related to personal rivalry, economic dispute or organized crime network.
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