Explosion in Kolonos: Police officer seriously injured – investigation into suspected drug dealer ambush
An explosive device detonated in a residential building in Kolonos, seriously injuring a police officer. Authorities are investigating a scenario of an organised ambush between drug traffickers.
Police officer in surgery after explosion in Kolonos building – ambush by traffickers central hypothesis
A police officer is hospitalised with serious injuries at the 401 Military Hospital following an explosion that occurred at 15:34 on Wednesday (21/10) in a residential building in Kolonos. According to Ethnos, in the same incident another police officer and two civilians were slightly injured.
The sub-lieutenant, who came into contact with the explosive device whilst opening a bag, sustained burns to his face, eyes, hands and feet. His life is not in danger. The three other injured parties were transferred to Evangelismos Hospital with minor injuries.
What was found in the bag
Investigation at the scene uncovered narcotics, precision scales and an explosive device equipped with a detonator, remote control and low-power explosive material. Laboratory results are expected to provide information about the origin of the device, the manner of its activation and the conditions of its placement on the stairwell.
Timeline
On Wednesday afternoon the building manager notified the Immediate Action police unit after discovering a bag under the entrance staircase which, as he established, contained narcotics. He also informed one of the building's owners, and both citizens waited together for the police.
A mixed patrol of police officers from the Ambelokipoi and Exarcheia Security division arrived at the scene. After the citizens showed the bag, the police officer opened it and began an inspection upon determining that it contained narcotic pills, "fixes" and precision scales. During the search he apparently pressed a button that proved to be part of the explosive device, resulting in the explosion.
Scenarios under investigation by authorities
The central scenario being investigated by authorities concerns an organised ambush: the bag was likely placed at the location in order to strike the person who would collect it. Police are examining whether differences between drug dealers lie behind the incident and whether the delivery of the bag was a pretext for activating the device.
The presence of narcotic substances and scales inside the bag constitutes one of the key facts being considered within this line of inquiry. Meanwhile, authorities are attempting to determine who placed the bag, who the actual target was, and whether the explosion was designed to strike a specific individual.
Investigations are continuing, with laboratory analysis results expected as a critical next step in identifying those responsible and reconstructing the route the bag took before ending up on the stairwell of the residential building.
Source: Ethnos