**Police Hunt Fugitive After Blast in Monaco Wounds Several**
Monaco, October 3, 2023 – Authorities in Monaco and neighboring France are actively searching for a suspect linked to a makeshift bomb explosion that injured multiple individuals on Monday evening. The incident, which occurred shortly before 9 p.m. local time in the heart of Monaco, has raised significant concerns about security in the principality, a renowned tax-free microstate on the French Riviera.
According to Christophe Mirmand, Monaco's Minister of State, two of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of the blast. The explosion is reported to have targeted Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian-born oligarch and prominent real estate developer based in Dnipro, Ukraine. Yermolaiev, who renounced his Ukrainian citizenship and acquired Cypriot nationality, has been under Ukrainian sanctions since December 2023.
French media outlets, including BFM TV and Le Figaro, have reported that video surveillance footage captured a man placing a backpack at the entrance of a residential building shortly before the explosion. The device has been characterized as a "parcel bomb" by the principality's prosecutor general. In response to the attack, French emergency services were deployed to assist local authorities, and a joint police operation is currently underway to locate the fugitive.
"This is the first time an event of this nature has occurred in the Principality," Minister Mirmand stated during an interview with BFM TV, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the incident in Monaco's history. Prince Albert of Monaco condemned the attack, labeling it an "odious act" and expressing deep concern for the victims and their families.
The blast has not only shocked the local community but also attracted international attention, given Monaco's reputation as a safe haven for the wealthy and influential. The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement agencies working diligently to gather evidence and track down the suspect.
As the search continues, authorities are urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as more details emerge.