Grenoble: A grenade explosion inside a bar in the southeastern city of Grenoble on Wednesday night left 12 people injured, including two in critical condition, according to local authorities.
The attack occurred shortly after 8:00 PM (1900 GMT) in a bar located in the Olympic Village neighborhood, an area built for the 1968 Winter Olympics.
Prosecutor François Touret-de-Courcy stated that an unidentified individual entered the establishment, threw a grenade without saying anything, and fled the scene. Emergency responders quickly arrived, sealing off the area as investigations began.
While the motive remains unclear, Touret-de-Courcy emphasized that authorities do not currently consider the incident to be an act of terrorism. "There is nothing to suggest a terrorist link," he said, describing the event as an "extremely violent act" that could be related to a dispute, possibly tied to drug trafficking. Initial reports also suggest the suspect may have been carrying a Kalashnikov rifle.
Grenoble Mayor Éric Piolle condemned the attack, calling it an act of "extraordinary violence." Deputy Mayor Chloé Pantel noted that the bar is a popular gathering place for locals and visitors, particularly during football matches.
In response to the incident, Health Minister Yannick Neuder is set to visit Grenoble University Hospital on Thursday to meet with victims and medical staff. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who was already scheduled to visit Grenoble on Friday, will address broader security concerns in the city.
