An explosion in Monaco on Monday evening, 29 June 2026, has left three victims in critical condition, and has shocked the principality which is renowned for its safety and extensive CCTV surveillance network. UPDATE: Body of Monaco explosion suspect found near Kyiv.
“The criminal explosion that occurred this evening in Monaco is a shock for the entire Monegasque community. My thoughts go first to the victims, to their loved ones and to the residents directly affected by this brutal act,” said Prince Albert II of Monaco in an official declaration in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Where and when did the Monaco Explosion take place?
The explosion was loud and occurred at 20:58 on Monday evening in a building near to Place des Moulins, according to Christophe Mirmand, Monaco Minister of State. The Minister held a press conference, hours after the explosion, together with Minister of the Interior Lionel Beffre, and President of the National Council Thomas Brezzo.
The cause of the explosion has been identified as a parcel bomb in a backpack that was placed at the entrance of the residential building.
Who was injured?
Three people were seriously injured – two adults critically and a 13-year-old child – when the parcel bomb exploded just before 21:00. The adults, allegedly in their 50s, have been admitted to Pasteur Hospital in Nice and the teenager to Lenval Hospital in Nice.
The three victims are from the “same Ukranian family”, according to Dominique Estrosi Sassone, Senator for the Alpes-Maritimes district. The male victim has been identified by French newspaper Le Figaro as 58-year-old Ukrainian oligarch, Vadim Ermolaev.
Another two people also suffered from shock, and two others with minor injuries presented themselves at the CHPG hospital, said Mirmand.
Prince Albert said: “Princess Charlene, my family and I wish to express to them our compassion and our unwavering support.”
France and Monaco work together
The Prince also commended “the remarkable work of the Public Security forces, who are managing the situation with rigour and composure, and who have ensured that the victims were swiftly cared for and the area secured.”
He said “under the authority of the Government, all the relevant State services are currently mobilised, in close cooperation with the French authorities. We trust them to establish the circumstances of this tragedy as swiftly as possible, to identify those responsible and to provide every necessary response, at every level.”
The Monaco Government revealed in a statement on social media that 40 firefighters from Monaco and ten from France had been deployed with 12 vehicles, alongside 84 police officers.
The six unoccupied apartments in the targeted building were also secured, it said.
Suspect in Monaco Explosion seen heading to Beausoleil
“A suspect was spotted on video surveillance fleeing toward the commune of Beausoleil in France,” said the Monaco government, adding that access points to Monaco were immediately secured.
The single female suspect fled on foot. (Update: Interpol identifies female suspect in Monaco explosion)
Beausoleil mayor Gérard Spinelli said on hearing the news “I immediately went to the Urban Surveillance Center alongside our municipal police officers to review footage from our video surveillance network—which currently comprises 152 cameras—and to monitor the situation in real time.
“In an event like this, every minute counts,” he said.
The mayor commended the responsiveness and professionalism of all the services involved, and highlighted how essential collaboration between France and Monaco is in ensuring a response in real time.
A judicial investigation has been opened and the Prosecutor General is expected to release initial findings from the forensic investigation on Tuesday. He will also address the legal classification of the incident.
Prince Albert II concluded his statement, stressing that “more than ever, the Principality of Monaco will remain united and resolute in the face of violence and crime. The safety of our community has always been a priority; it will remain so more than ever, whatever the threats.”
Update on Monaco Parcel Bomb – Tuesday, 30 June 2026:
Monaco’s public prosecutor, Stéphane Thibault, has confirmed the incident is being treated as an attempted murder and has not been classified as a terrorist attack.
Who is Vadim Ermolaev?
According to Le Figaro, multi-millionaire Vadim Ermolaev renounced his Ukranian citizenship in 2019 to become a Cypriot citizen. Since 2023 he has been sanctioned by Ukraine following alleged business dealings with Russian-occupied Crimea. As founder of Alef Business Group, Ermolaev reportedly built his empire in the 1990s through real estate, construction, agriculture, shopping centres, and spirits production.
Ermolaev has not yet been formally named as the businessman targeted in Monday’s attack. The Ukraine embassy in France is still working with authorities in Monaco to officially identify those who were injured, according to the BBC.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene show support
After being informed of the investigation’s progress throughout the night, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene spent time with the deployed forces on Tuesday afternoon. Accompanied by senior government officials (including Mr Mirmand), the Monaco royal couple visited the Security Directorate to get an update on the situation.
They also visited the Fire and Rescue Service barracks, and spoke with response teams.
