Two injured in blast outside Athens church

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Two injured in blast outside Athens church

Athens - The explosion occurred just before morning church service.

By AFP

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Published: Thu 27 Dec 2018, 11:07 AM

Last updated: Thu 27 Dec 2018, 5:40 PM

A homemade explosive device went off early Thursday in front of a church in central Athens injuring its caretaker and a police officer, police said.
There was no claim of responsibility for the attack. The church lies in the heavily policed, upscale Kolonaki quarter which borders on Exarchia, a district where clashes between police and self-styled anarchists are common.
The blast occurred outside the Saint Dionysios church around 7am. local time (0500 GMT), just before it was due to open to the public for a service.
The police officer was hospitalised with minor injuries to his face and hands sustained when he went to inspect a "suspicious" package after being alerted by the caretaker.

The caretaker was also hospitalised.

A worker at a cafe near the church told Skai television that the blast had been "powerful."

Non-fatal attacks targeting centres of power and embassies have been common in Greece in recent years, often blamed on anarchists or far-left groups.

Ten days ago, a homemade bomb exploded outside the headquarters of the Skai media group in a seaside Athens suburb causing major damage. There have been no claims of responsibility.



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