A tragic incident occurred in Thessaloniki, Greece, early Saturday morning when a bomb carried by a 38-year-old woman detonated unexpectedly. The explosion took place around 5 a.m. local time as she allegedly intended to place the device outside a bank, leading to significant damage to nearby storefronts and vehicles.
According to a senior police official who spoke to Reuters, “It appears that she was carrying an explosive device and planned to plant it at a bank’s ATM. Something went wrong and exploded in her hands.” The woman subsequently succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital.
Authorities disclosed that the unidentified woman had a criminal history linked to drug offenses and prostitution, with past involvement in robbery and theft. Investigations are being carried out by the organized crime division of the Greek police, who are also exploring potential connections to extremist leftist groups.
This incident marks a concerning trend in Greece, which has experienced its share of bombings and targeted violence attributed to organized crime. The country’s history of politically motivated violence can be traced back to the 1970s, with various domestic extremist groups responsible for numerous bombings over the years. Although the more prominent groups from previous decades have been dismantled, smaller factions continue to emerge.
In April, an extremist group named Revolutionary Class Struggle claimed responsibility for a bombing near the offices of Hellenic Train in Athens, which resulted in minimal damage and no injuries but highlighted the persistent threat of domestic terrorism. This attack occurred shortly after the second anniversary of Greece’s deadliest railway disaster, which claimed 57 lives.
Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis has warned of a new wave of domestic extremism, reflecting a growing concern among authorities regarding the rise of politically motivated violence. Previous incidents, including a failed bomb assembly in Athens, have underscored the dangers posed by these emerging groups, with police actively working to thwart further acts of violence.
