A series of attacks using improvised incendiary bombs made of gas canisters were carried out in Thessaloniki in the early hours of Wednesday morning, targeting the entrances of apartment buildings linked to current or former members of the ruling New Democracy party, injuring five people.
The Hellenic Police (EL.AS.) suspect a single group of perpetrators is behind the coordinated attacks. Operating from a motorcycle, the perpetrators systematically detonated three devices at three separate residences in the Toumba, Pylaia, and Harilaou districts within a tight 17-minute window.
The Greek Police Counter-Terrorism Unit has officially taken charge of the ongoing investigation.
Timeline of the gas canister bombings in Thessaloniki
According to official police briefings, the carefully timed attacks unfolded between 4:18 AM and 4:35 AM as follows:
4:18 AM (Pylaia): The first device was detonated on the roadway outside a residential building at 64B Christoforou Perraivou Street. No property damage was reported. While a police couple currently resides on the first floor, the building complex is owned by Zisis Ioakimovic, the President of the ND Thessaloniki Administrative Committee, who had previously lived at that address.
4:24 AM (Toumba): Just six minutes later, a second gas canister was ignited at the entrance of an apartment building at 45 Tsiapanou Street. Former ND Member of Parliament Savvas Anastasiadis resides on the third floor of the building. The blast cracked the glass entryway and scorched the facade.
4:35 AM (Harilaou): The third and most severe attack took place at the intersection of Kimonos Voga and Gravias Street. The explosion triggered a violent fire that engulfed two cars and two motorcycles. One of the heavily damaged vehicles belongs to ND political candidate Aphrodite Nestora.
Five hospitalized in final blast
The third bombing in Harilaou resulted in five casualties, all of whom were rushed to Thessaloniki’s Ippokrateio Hospital.
Three women—including Ms. Nestora and her mother—are currently being treated for burn injuries. Additionally, Ms. Nestora’s father and another resident of the apartment building remain hospitalized after suffering acute respiratory issues from smoke inhalation.
Government Spokesman Pavlos Marinakis issued a fierce condemnation of the coordinated strikes, stating that the perpetrators “sought to kill these officials simply for their political ideas.”
