Authorities of the Hellenic Police (EL.AS.) are working to piece together the puzzle of the mysterious explosion that occurred early Saturday morning in Thessaloniki, outside a bank, and resulted in the death of a 39-year-old woman.

Investigators are prioritizing finding out whether the woman who died was directly involved in the explosion. Did she carry the explosive device? Did someone else give it to her? Was she merely passing by? These are just some of the pressing questions that need to be answered.

What is confirmed so far is that the woman had a criminal record, mainly involving robberies and other offenses. One possible scenario being considered is that she was at the scene to place the explosive device at the bank, and something went wrong. However, this remains speculative, as the investigation is still in full progress.

Improvised Explosive Device Detonated Outside Thessaloniki Bank

The woman had also previously been investigated for other offenses, including prostitution-related charges, drug violations, loan sharking, and weapons law infractions.

In 2021, she was arrested along with a man and charged with illegal possession of a firearm (a Kalashnikov was found in her backpack), drug possession, and harboring a fugitive.

The deadly explosion occurred just after 5:00 a.m. outside a bank branch in central Thessaloniki. The blast caused the woman at the scene to be severely injured and lose limbs. CPR was administered, she was immediately intubated and transported to the Ippokrateio Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

Residents of the apartment building said the explosion was so powerful they thought it was an earthquake. An eyewitness told reporters:
“Around 5:10 a.m., there was a deafening noise. I was terrified. The whole neighborhood came out onto their balconies, there was panic. I didn’t understand what had happened until I saw smoke coming from the side street — but no fire — and that’s when I realized.”