One elderly woman has been hospitalized intubated following a series of arson attacks with improvised incendiary bombs made of gas canisters carried out in Thessaloniki in the early hours of Wednesday. The attacks targeted the entrances of apartment buildings linked to current or former members of the ruling New Democracy party.
The attacks unfolded within a span of just 17 minutes across Pylaia, Toumba, and Analipsi-Charilaou at the following times:
– At 04:18, a gas canister exploded in Pylaia, causing no reported damage.
– At 04:23, a second explosion occurred in Toumba, resulting in minor damage to an entrance.
– At 04:35, the most serious incident took place in Analipsi-Charilaou, where a fire – likely caused by an explosive device – destroyed two parked cars.
Fire crews responded, and several residents were affected, including two with burns and three with respiratory issues from smoke inhalation.
Targeted ND members, former lawmaker
The three attacks took place within a period of less than 20 minutes.
Targeted were the homes of the president of the ND Thessaloniki Executive Committee, Zisiσ Ioakimovits, the former member of parliament Savvas Anastasiadis, in Toumba, and the politician for the 1st Thessaloniki district, Afroditis Nestora, in Charilaou, local media reported.
The last attack was the most serious one and left five people injured, including Nestora and her mother, who is in critical condition in the ICU of “Ippokrateio”.
Anti-Terror Police launches manhunt
Two people on a motorbike targeted by the authorities for the arson attacks on ND executives.
The Anti-Terror Department of the Greek Police has taken over the investigation.
Information indicates that from the evidence collected by the authorities so far, the perpetrators in all three attacks were two individuals who probably traveled on a motorbike.
The fact that the same incendiary device was used in all three attacks – a gas canister with a gasoline canister – and the fact that the attacks took place within just a few minutes, strengthens this scenario.
so far, no organization has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
ND and PM’s reaction
Addressing the arsonists, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said “we will find you and bring you to justice.”
He expressed his “horror and anger for the cowardly murderous attacks,” and announced that he will “immediately” depart for Thessaloniki.
“Our thoughts are with Zisis, Savvas and especially Aphrodite, whose mother is fighting for her life. I will depart immediately for Thessaloniki to support the injured and send a clear message: zero tolerance for any form of new terrorism. We will find you and bring you to justice,” Mitsotakis stressed.
Through the government spokesman, Palvos Marinakis, ruling New Democracy described the arson attacks as “attempted murders,” stressing that they were “deadly acts” and calling for the immediate arrest of those responsible.
Opposition political parties have also condemned the attacks.
