Explosion at Southeast France Bar Injures 12
Grenoble, France – A grenade explosion at a bar in southeastern France has left at least 12 people injured, authorities said Wednesday night.
The incident occurred at around 8:00 p.m. local time in the Village Olympique neighborhood of Grenoble, a district classified by authorities as a "problem area."
Explosion Details
According to State Prosecutor François Touret-de-Courcy, the suspect entered the bar and threw the grenade "apparently without saying a word." The attacker then fled the scene. The bar was reportedly crowded with patrons at the time of the explosion.
The motive for the attack remains unclear, but authorities are considering a connection to the drug trade as one possibility. Touret-de-Courcy stated that there is no evidence to suggest terrorism, instead placing the incident within the context of criminal activity.
Suspect Information
Initial reports indicate that the suspect was armed with a Kalashnikov-type assault rifle. However, it is unclear whether this weapon was also used in the attack.
Injuries and Response
Twelve individuals were injured in the explosion, two of them seriously. Their conditions are not life-threatening, according to the state prosecutor. Numerous emergency responders were dispatched to the scene.
Community Reaction
Mayor Éric Piolle condemned the attack as "an act of exceptional criminal violence." Deputy Mayor Chloé Pantel described the bar as "a place where locals and people from outside the neighborhood gather, especially to watch football matches."
Ongoing Investigation
The police have confirmed that the explosion was caused by a thrown grenade. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are pursuing all avenues to determine the motive and apprehend the suspect.
