Grenade attack injures twelve in Grenoble bar

Thursday 13 February 2025 - 08:35

A grenade explosion in a bar in Grenoble, located in southeastern France, left twelve people injured on Wednesday evening. According to officials, the suspect entered the bar without speaking and threw the grenade before fleeing the scene. Two of the victims are in critical condition, and many patrons were present when the blast occurred just after 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) in the Olympic Village area, which was built for the 1968 Winter Olympics.

Prosecutor Francois Touret-de-Courcy stated that although the motive has not been determined, authorities do not suspect terrorism. He described the incident as an "act of extreme violence," potentially related to a personal vendetta. Investigations suggest a possible link to drug trafficking, with reports indicating the assailant may have been armed with a Kalashnikov rifle.

Grenoble's Mayor Eric Piolle condemned the attack, calling it an "extraordinary act of violence," while Deputy Mayor Chloe Pantel noted the bar is a popular gathering spot, particularly for football fans. France's Health Minister Yannick Neuder is scheduled to visit the victims at Grenoble University Hospital, and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is set to visit the city on Friday to address local safety concerns.