Manhunt under way after Monaco blast injures three

MONACO: Police in Monaco and neighbouring France were searching on Tuesday for a suspected bomber after an explosion in the principality wounded three people, in what French and Ukrainian media said was an attack aimed at a Ukrainian-born oligarch.

The blast took place on Monday evening in Monaco, a small, affluent state known for its casino, luxury yachts, high security and wealthy residents. Christophe Mirmand, Monaco’s minister of state, told BFM TV that the suspect was believed to have escaped to France. Monaco is bordered by the sea on one side and France on the other, with no border controls between the two countries. Italy is also nearby.

Mirmand said the three main victims remained in hospital and that a woman, whose identity he did not disclose, had suffered the most serious injuries. He added that she would receive further treatment at a hospital in nearby Nice or in Marseille. He also said a young man had been hurt less seriously. Local newspaper Monaco Matin reported that the woman lost part of her lower limbs in the explosion.

French and Ukrainian media identified Vadym Yermolaiev as the apparent target of the attack. Yermolaiev, originally from the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, had previously worked as a property developer there. He left Ukraine several years ago, gave up his Ukrainian citizenship and later became a citizen of Cyprus.

The same media reports said Yermolaiev was placed under Ukrainian sanctions in December 2023 over alleged business activity in Russian-occupied Crimea. In an interview with Ukrainian media outlet RBC-Ukraine in 2024, Yermolaiev denied owning or managing any business in Crimea. Mirmand did not confirm or deny whether Yermolaiev had been the intended target.

Investigation under way

Other local officials declined to confirm the identities of the victims or release further details about the inquiry. Prince Albert of Monaco condemned the attack and described it as "an odious act." saying it had shocked the people of Monaco.

He said the principality was working closely with the French authorities in an effort to find the suspect. French media reported that surveillance footage showed a man leaving a backpack at the entrance to a residential building shortly before the explosion.

Monaco Matin published what it said was a CCTV image of the suspect, showing a man in a dark hat and dark top with a white bag over his shoulder. BFM TV, citing Monaco’s prosecutor general, said the device used in the attack was a "parcel bomb".