'Parcel bomb' explodes in Monaco residential area, leaving 2 critically injured: reports

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for June 29 Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Hören Sie sich diesen Artikel an 2 Min Police in Monaco and France were reportedly searching Monday night for a man suspected of detonating a makeshift explosive device that injured several people, including two critically. The explosion happened shortly before 9 p.m. local time in the center of Monaco, near the entrance of a residential building. Surveillance video appeared to show a man leaving a backpack at the scene moments before the blast, Reuters reported, citing French newspaper Le Figaro. Christophe Mirmand, Monaco’s minister of state, told BFM TV that two of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries. MANHUNT UNDERWAY IN POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATION AFTER SULFURIC ACID ATTACK CRITICALLY BURNS PEDESTRIAN The explosion happened shortly before 9 p.m. local time in the center of Monaco, near the entrance of a residential building. (Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images) "No event of this nature has ever ​happened in the principality before," Mirmand told the outlet. French emergency crews were sent to the scene to assist. Authorities in France and Monaco launched a joint operation to find the suspect, according to France’s Interior Ministry. PARIS DEPUTY MAYOR BLAMES THE UNITED STATES' CARBON EMISSIONS FOR DEADLY HEAT WAVE Christophe Mirmand, Monaco’s minister of state, said that two of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries. (Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images) BFM TV, citing Monaco’s prosecutor general, described the device as a "parcel bomb." Eric Ciotti, the mayor of nearby Nice, France, condemned the incident in a post on X. "The attack carried out this evening is a tragedy that strikes Monaco. Thoughts for the victims, their families, and the people of Monaco. Total support for the security forces and emergency services mobilized," Ciotti wrote. FAMILIES WATCH IN HORROR AS SKYDIVING PLANE CRASHES IN France, KILLING ALL 11 ABOARD French emergency crews were sent to the scene to assist. (Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images) Alexandra Masson, the mayor of nearby Menton, expressed support for Monaco and said her thoughts were with the victims and their families. "I extend my full support to the Principality of Monaco during the ordeal it is going through. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and their loved ones. I express my deepest gratitude," Masson wrote. Monaco police could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment. Sophia Compton is a Writer at Fox News Digital. Sophia was previously a business reporter covering finance, energy and tourism and has experience as a TV news producer. She graduated with a journalism degree in 2021 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Story tips can be sent to sophia.compton@fox.com.