An explosion occurred at the entrance of a building on Platonos Street in the Kolonos district of Athens on Wednesday afternoon (21 October).

Two police officers were injured, one of them suffering a head injury. His life is fortunately not in danger. Two civilians also sustained less serious injuries. The more seriously injured officer was taken to the 401 Military Hospital, while the other three were transported to Evangelismos Hospital.

According to information available so far, the explosion occurred at the entrance of an apartment building. An unidentified person had called the emergency police service, reporting a suspected drug-related incident.

However, when officers arrived at the entrance of the building, where a suitcase allegedly containing drugs was said to be waiting to be handed over by the unidentified caller, the suitcase exploded. The blast seriously injured the police officer and caused lighter injuries to the three civilians who were passing by.

Eighteen firefighters with six vehicles are operating at the scene, alongside police forces.

Police are treating the case with particular seriousness and are initially seeking to identify the person who called the emergency service in order to establish their motives.

At this stage, authorities cannot rule out the possibility that the incident was a trap intended to target police officers.