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Three rudimentary explosive devices were launched into the garden of the Russian consulate in the southern French port city of Marseille on Monday, authorities and local media said.
Local police said in a statement that first responders discovered that the three items were plastic 50-centiliter soda bottles, two of which “burst.” France’s BFMTV reported that “explosions” were heard on the scene.
No injuries were reported, and a clearance operation at the consulate has now been concluded, the police statement read. Authorities are conducting tests to determine what was inside the bottles, and a criminal investigation is underway.
In a statement posted to X, the city of Marseille said it “strongly condemns all acts of violence and remains fully committed to guaranteeing public safety and tranquility.”
A spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country condemns “all attacks on the security of diplomatic premises” and reiterated France’s commitment to protecting them as required by international law.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry claimed earlier Monday that the blasts bore “all the signs of a terrorist attack.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told Russian state news agency TASS that the Kremlin is demanding “exhaustive and speedy measures to investigate, as well as steps to strengthen the security of Russian foreign missions.”
Victor Goury-Laffont contributed to this report.
