Manhunt after ‘nail bomb’ blast at Lyon bakery leaves 13 injured
A MANHUNT was under way last night in the eastern French city of Lyon after at least 13 people were injured in a “nail bomb” blast.
The explosion was caused by what is believed to be a home-made bomb in a case containing “an explosive charge and nuts and bolts”, which went off at 5.30pm local time, the interior ministry said. The device exploded in the centre of France’s second-largest city outside a bakery in Rue Victor Hugo.
Prosecutors have launched a terrorism investigation into the attack.
According to French reports, police are hunting a male suspect in his early to mid-30s, who was thought to have placed the case on the ground and escaped on a bicycle. According to BFMTV, a television channel, security cameras picked up the man, wearing a hood, dark glasses, a black jumper and light shorts, shortly before the blast.
An eight-year-old girl was reportedly injured but was not badly hurt. None of the victims were in a serious condition, according to Denis Broliquier, a local mayor.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, confirmed there had been an “attack in Lyon” but no deaths. “My thoughts obviously go to the wounded and their families,” he said.
Edouard Philippe, the French prime minister, cancelled his appearance at the final rally of the Macron camp in Paris ahead of Sunday’s European elections in France.
Christophe Castaner, the interior minister, ordered state authorities to reinforce security at sites hosting cultural, sporting and religious events.
The Women’s World Cup football tournament is scheduled to start in France on June 7. Lyon will host the semi-finals, and the final on July 7.
Police and soldiers closed off the area where the bomb went off, near Place Bellecour, Lyon’s biggest square.
Alexis Saillan, a hotel receptionist, said he heard a “deafening blast”. He added: “I saw people running in panic and heard some cries. Police told me it was a package bomb. They told us to stay indoors and to close the windows.”
France has been on high alert since a wave of jihadist attacks in 2015 that left more than 250 people dead, with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group urging followers to target soldiers and police. Authorities say the threat of further attacks remains high.