Monaco’s Prosecutor General, Stéphane Thibault, told reporters on Tuesday morning that Monday night’s parcel bomb explosion in Monaco is “not an attack classifiable as terrorism”, based on the information available so far, as the man responsible remains at large and the identities of the victims have still not been officially confirmed.

Stéphane Thibault said the explosion occurred just before 9pm outside No. 4 rue Révérend Père Frolla, leaving three immediate victims. Monaco’s police and firefighters arrived almost immediately, evacuating all three to hospital in Nice, with two in what he described as an “absolute emergency” condition.

According to Thibault, a man acting alone left a package at the address before walking away. The package, whose exact contents are still being identified, exploded moments later, just as the three occupants came to the front door on the ground floor. “The package exploded at the moment those three people arrived,” he said. Two further people were injured by flying glass in the aftermath.

Attempted murder investigation, not terrorism

Thibault confirmed the case has been opened as a ‘flagrante delicto investigation’ on charges of attempted murder and placing explosive substances or devices on the public highway. “It is therefore not a terrorism classification. I insist on this point,” he said. “At this stage we do not have the elements necessary to retain that qualification.” He added that he remains in contact with the French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, which has offered assistance, and that the assessment will continue jointly should further support be required.

The investigation has been entrusted to the Criminal Investigation Division of Monaco’s Public Security Department, working alongside forensic police and in cooperation with French judicial and police authorities. The Nice Public Prosecutor’s office opened parallel proceedings to allow investigative steps required on French soil to be carried out in full coordination with Monégasque authorities, who Thibault said continue to provide support, particularly in forensic science and explosives expertise.

Victims not yet named, condition updated

Thibault gave no names but confirmed that the man’s life is no longer considered to be in danger, while the woman remains in a critical condition. The child, he said, underwent surgery overnight. He declined to comment further on the victims, saying they have not yet been formally interviewed by investigators.

The injured have been widely reported to include Vadim Ermolaev, a Ukrainian businessman, and members of his family, though Monégasque authorities have not confirmed this themselves.

Addressing speculation circulating online, Thibault said the man targeted has been a resident of Monaco since at least 2021 and, to the authorities’ knowledge, “is not wanted by any foreign authority”.

Suspect still being hunted

Asked directly whether the suspect had been arrested, Thibault was unequivocal. “Absolutely not,” he said. “We have not arrested him, but together with our French counterparts we are pursuing him in order to identify and arrest him. I hope that will happen quickly.”

Asked about a possible motive, he said this remains part of the ongoing investigation, and that it is not yet known whether the suspect intended to leave France. Police are continuing to trace his movements using CCTV footage from both Monaco and the neighbouring French commune of Beausoleil.

Thibault said investigators worked at the scene until 6am on Tuesday before resuming at 8am, and confirmed the case will most likely move forward as a formal judicial investigation, which he expects to open by Wednesday. He closed by expressing hope for the recovery of the victim still in critical condition and wished the others a speedy recovery.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Photo taken from video by @rawad_chaaban instagram