At least twelve people have been injured, six of them in critical condition, after the explosion of a grenade launched against a bar located in the French city of Grenoble, which is located in the Rhone-Alpes region (southeast). The incident occurred on a Wednesday night, when a person entered the bar, launched a grenade, and then fled without saying a word. According to prosecutor François Touret de Coucy, the attacker’s actions were swift and deliberate, causing chaos and destruction in the establishment.
Investigation and Response
The police and emergency services responded quickly to the incident, and an investigation is currently underway to determine the motives behind the attack. Attorney General Christophe Barret has reported that the attacker was in possession of a Kalashnikov type assault rifle, which apparently was not used during the incident. The interim prosecutor of Grenoble, François Touret-de Coucy, has stated that no hypothesis on the motive of the act has been ruled out, but the possibility of it being a terrorist attack is not contemplated at this time. The police force will remain present in the area for a while to ensure the safety of the community.
The attacked bar is a popular meeting place for locals and football fans, as explained by Chloé Pantel, deputy mayor of Sector 6 of Grenoble. The bar’s patrons were caught off guard by the attack, and the community is still reeling from the shock. The hospital has activated its emergency plan to serve the injured, and the city will provide its support to those affected.
Official Response and Condolences
The mayor of Grenoble, Éric Piolle, has condemned the attack in the strongest terms, describing it as an “unprecedented act of violence” that has caused injury to over ten people. Through his social media profile, Piolle expressed his gratitude to the security forces and emergency services for their rapid intervention and announced that the city will provide support to those affected. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, and authorities are working to determine the cause and prevent similar incidents in the future.
