Police in Monaco are searching for a suspect after a shocking explosion in the principality. Before the explosion, surveillance images showed a man leaving a backpack in an apartment building lobby. The three people who were injured in the blast are in a critical state, with two of them in an absolutely critical state. ABC's Tom Sufi Burridge has more information.
Tom, what do we know about the attack and the suspect? >> Yeah, this was a shocking attack, Diane. It happened late last night. The public prosecutor says a man came to the building and left a package near the entrance. Then, three people came to the entrance and the package exploded. It's believed that there was an improvised explosive device in the package. But the authorities in Monaco are still testing it and investigating. The suspect is thought to have fled into France and the police are working with their French colleagues to catch him. The public prosecutor is hopeful that the suspect can be caught quickly. There is talk that one of the victims is a Ukrainian oligarch called Vadim Yermallay and his partner and son were also hurt. But this has not been officially confirmed.
The motive for the attack is not clear. But Monaco's public prosecutor says this was not a terrorist attack. It seems to be a targeted attack on the Ukrainian oligarch and those close to him. Violent crime is very rare in Monaco. It's a very wealthy principality located on France's southern coast near Nice. Prince Albert of Monaco said the attack was an odious act which was a shock for all in Monaco.
