Blast Rocks Thessaloniki Suburb, Injures Two, Triggers Terror Probe

Oluwafisayo Olaoye
3 Min Read

An early morning explosion shook the quiet suburb of Sikies in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, leaving two people injured and causing significant structural damage to a residential building. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, has prompted an investigation by the country’s anti-terrorism authorities, heightening public concern over the nature and intent of the blast.

According to Greek public broadcaster ERT, the explosion tore through the ground floor of the apartment block, leaving a gaping hole in the building’s exterior wall and sending debris flying across the area. The impact shattered windows of neighboring buildings and damaged at least six vehicles parked nearby. Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after the blast, cordoning off the affected zone and beginning cleanup operations.

COUNTDOWN TO AIHS 2025
COUNTDOWN TO AIHS 2025

Police sources confirmed that a young man and woman walking past the building at the time of the explosion sustained injuries from flying glass. Both were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.

The damaged apartment complex reportedly houses a senior member of the prison officers’ union, a detail that has added a layer of intrigue to the case. While no official motive has been established, law enforcement authorities have not ruled out the possibility of targeted intimidation or an act of violence linked to organized crime or extremist activity.

Investigators from the anti-terror unit were swiftly deployed to the scene, combing through debris for clues and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby properties. Forensic teams also collected material evidence in an effort to determine the type of explosive used and whether it bore similarities to past incidents in the region.

The explosion comes just two months after a woman with a history of criminal involvement died in a separate blast outside a bank in Thessaloniki. The 38-year-old victim was linked to a jailed bank robber accused of a series of violent crimes, including the 2023 parcel bomb attack on the Thessaloniki Appeals Court. That case remains under active investigation, and authorities are now examining whether Saturday’s explosion shares any operational or ideological connections.

Residents of Sikies were left stunned by the incident, with many describing the sound of the explosion as deafening and the aftermath as chaotic. “We were jolted out of bed. The windows were shaking, and the entire building trembled,” said a local shop owner whose store is located just meters away from the blast site.

Officials have urged the public to remain calm while assuring that security measures are being intensified in the area. The Greek police are expected to release preliminary findings as investigations progress, with more details anticipated in the coming days.

Join Our Whatsapp Group

Share this Article