Greek police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an explosion in the Athens neighborhood of Kolonos that injured four people on Wednesday, October 21, with several key questions still unanswered.
The investigation began after the building’s property manager discovered a bag containing suspected drugs placed inside a jar and alerted police. Officers arrived at the apartment building, and one of them took the package for examination. It exploded as he handled it, injuring him, a female colleague and two civilians.
The injured officer was taken to the 401 General Military Hospital in Athens. The other police officer and the two civilians were hospitalized at Evangelismos Hospital.
How the explosive device was triggered
According to preliminary information, the device may have detonated accidentally. A remote control was inside the bag, and investigators believe the officer may have inadvertently pressed it while checking the package’s contents.
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The bag reportedly contained drugs, a scale and the explosive device.
Three scenarios under investigation
A prosecutor visited the building Wednesday evening and, together with police officers, searched all the apartments. The search followed information concerning an individual who had reportedly come to police attention in the past over drug-related cases.
The case is being handled by the police department responsible for drug enforcement. Greece’s Anti-Terrorist Service initially attended the scene but later withdrew, as the investigation appears to fall outside its jurisdiction.
Investigators are examining three possible explanations for how the package came to be there:
- A resident left it behind: Someone living in the building may have tried to get rid of the package by leaving it on the mezzanine level.
- It was awaiting collection: The package may have been placed there for someone to pick up.
- An outsider left it there: An unidentified person may have entered the building and left the package for one of its residents to retrieve.
Authorities have not confirmed any of these scenarios, and the circumstances surrounding the package remain unclear.
Police are expected to provide a clearer account of the incident as the investigation progresses in the coming days.qq1111