Monaco explosion live: Ukrainian oligarch critical as CCTV shows suspect fleeing scene

Monaco explosion live: Ukrainian oligarch critical as CCTV shows suspect fleeing scene Ukrainian oligarch Vadim Ermolaev, 58, and his wife are fighting for their lives after a bomb blast ripped through the La Rousse district of Monaco A massive bomb blast has rocked Monaco leaving a Ukrainian billionaire oligarch and his wife fighting for their lives. Vadim Ermolaev, 58, is a real estate mogul and the 23rd richest man in Ukraine, according to Forbes. It is understood that he fled the country after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A suspect is on the run after being seen on CCTV dumping a backpack on Rue du Révérend Père Louis Frolla with Monaco's minister of state Christophe Mirmand calling the incident a "deliberate explosion". The explosive device, described as a "parcel bomb", likely contained bolts and shot, officials said. A 13-year-old boy was also injured in the blast though not as seriously. The suspect fled on foot towards the town of Beausoleil, which a Brit resident of Monaco explained "is just over the border into France". Key Events Around 50 firefighters - 40 from Monaco and 10 from France - and 12 fire engines were deployed last night following the explosion, alongside 84 police officers. The six unoccupied apartments in the targeted building were secured as a precaution, the Monaco Government said. Monaco’s leader, Albert II, Prince of Monaco, called the explosion "an odious act" and said all relevant state services had been mobilised and were working closely with the French authorities. The Monaco government has shared an update on X on the progress of the investigation. Forensic officers worked into the night on Monday collecting evidence at the scene. A press conference was held that evening by Minister of State Christophe Mirmand, alongside Interior Minister Lionel Beffre and President of the National Council Thomas Brezzo. The Public Prosecutor is expected to present the first findings of the investigation today and announce the preliminary legal classification of the incident. - A makeshift bomb exploded at the entrance of a residence near central Monaco yesterday night, injuring three people - two adults and a child - The blast happened shortly before 9pm CEST (8pm BST) - The victims were taken to hospitals in neighbouring France, where the two adults aged in their 50s or 60s are being treated for life-threatening injuries, Minister of State of Monaco Christophe Mirmand has said - The child, a 13-year-old boy, suffered less serious injuries in the explosion, Mirmand said, adding that he is "very likely related" to the adults - One of the victims has been identified by French broadcaster BFM and Ukrainian news site Ukrainska Pravda as Ukrainian construction tycoon Vadim Ermolaev, while the other adult is understood to be his wife - Ermolaev was targeted by Ukrainian sanctions in 2023 for his ties to Russia - CCTV footage showed a man dropping a backpack at the entrance of a residential building shortly before the blast - The principality's prosecutor general described the explosive device as a "parcel bomb" - The suspect crossed the border into France on foot and was identified via video surveillance in Monaco and the neighbouring French town of Beausoleil, Mirmand said - A French national police official said French police are searching for the suspect and supporting the investigation A heavy police presence was at the scene of the incident in Monaco. Police vehicles and cordons can be seen. A helicopter was also spotted circling in the area as a manhunt is underway for the suspect. French rescue teams are on site providing reinforcements and police cooperation has been established to find the suspect, local media reported the Minister of the Interior as saying. Minister of State Christophe Mirmand told BFMTV that "four people were taken" to the hospital. The four people were "not injured but simply shaken" by the explosion. One of the victims is reported to be Vadim Ermolaev's partner, BFM reports. Ermolaev has been subject to sanction from Kyiv since December 2023. Ukrainian security services reportedly said the sanctions stemmed from his alcohol business activity in Russian-occupied Crimea. The suspect crossed the border into France on foot and was identified via video surveillance in Monaco and the neighbouring French town of Beausoleil, said Monaco's Minister of State (head of government), Christophe Mirmand. A significant police presence has been deployed in the area following the incident, as authorities launch a manhunt for the suspect. Read more here. CCTV footage shows a man dressed in a black bucket hat and jumper dumping a backpack in the foyer of an apartment block before vacating the scene hastily. The two adults injured in the explosion, including Vadim Ermolaev, were taken to the Pasteur Hospital in Nice. The younger victim was reportedly treated at the scene. Ukrainian-born businessman Vadim Ermolaev, who is reportedly among those fighting for his life after the suspected bomb explosion, is one of the wealthiest oligarch figures to emerge from the country's industrial sector. Ermolaev is described in public sources as a Cypriot-based businessman of Ukrainian origin. He is a real estate developer, best known for his role in developing projects in the city of Dnipro. He is associated with the Alef Group, a commercial and industrial conglomerate founded in 1997, with interests spanning real estate, manufacturing, agribusiness, alcohol production and trade. Public estimates of his wealth have varied widely over time, with figures ranging from around $173 million to more than $800 million. According to publicly available reports, Ermolaev obtained Cypriot citizenship in 2019 and later renounced his Ukrainian citizenship. He is under sanctions in Ukraine. A local has explained how she thought a fireworks display was going off at the time of the attack. Marine Cotta told BFMTV: "I thought to myself, 'Oh, it's just another firework', and shortly after I started receiving messages to see how I was doing." She said she found out about the incident on social media. Marine added: "I could hear the police, the alarms, the firefighters and then I thought, 'Okay, something's happening.'" A large emergency response presence remains in place after the explosion. A cordon is in place and police are working to locate the suspect. The explosive device has been described as a "parcel bomb" by the principality’s prosecutor general. Vadim Ermolaev is under sanctions in Ukraine. One of the victims of an explosion in Monaco is as a billionaire Ukrainian oligarch, according to local reports. Three people - all believed to be Ukrainian - have been injured in the explosion shortly after 9pm on Monday, June 29 on Rue du Révérend Père Louis Frolla. One victim was named locally by Monaco Matin news outlet as Vadim Ermolaev, one of Ukraine's wealthiest men. It is understood that he fled the country after the latest bout of conflict with Russia. Read the full story here. Two of the victims have suffered life-threatening injuries, Minister of State of Monaco Christophe Mirmand has said. The blast occurred shortly before 9pm. The suspect remains at large following the explosion in Monaco but he has been tracked using security cameras making his way through Monaco and to Beausoleil. Police officers from the Nice Anti-Crime Squad (BAC), as well as emergency response units from Nice and Menton, have been sent to reinforce the Beausoleil area. Monaco's Minister of State Christophe Mirmand told AFP that the explosive device is believed to have contained "bolts and shot" which would have been designed to cause maximum injuries. "The explosive device likely contained bolts and pellets," he said. "The police are currently gathering evidence." French rescue teams are helping Monaco emergency services following the explosion. "Following the explosion this evening in Monaco, French rescue teams are on site to reinforce the operation and police cooperation has been put in place to find the perpetrator who fled," a source close to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said, reported TF1. Monaco's head of state, Christophe Mirmand says: "The police are currently gathering evidence. "This is the first time in history, to my knowledge, that such an act has occurred in the Principality." Charles Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Council, wrote on X: "In the face of the attack that occurred in Monaco this evening, I express my deep solidarity with the victims, their families, and the people of Monaco. "I also extend my support to the security forces and emergency services engaged on the ground." The victims are a couple in their 50s and 60s, both in critical condition, and a 13-year-old boy "likely connected to the couple" and less seriously injured, Mirmand said. Local sites earlier reported they all came from the same Ukrainian family. Monaco's Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand, told AFP: "This is likely an attack." The explosive device likely contained bolts and shot, he added. " The police are currently investigating... This is the first time in history, to my knowledge, that such an act has occurred in the Principality." The suspect ran off in the direction of Beausolei which is just over the border in France, says a British resident in Monaco. Talking to The Mirror she explained: "The road where the explosion happened is about 20 minutes away from where we are and he has gone to the neighbouring town of Beausolei which is just over the border into France basically. "So I imagine has has just disappeared into France. A lot of people live there and maybe spend their lives in Monaco because it is cheaper there." A British resident living in Monaco has told of the "commotion" at the police station following the explosion. She told The Mirror: "We live next door to the police station so we are overlooking it. It all began at around 9pm when we saw lots of police in the street. First of all we heard a big commotion outside and then there was a procession of police cars heading off. “Everything is on high alert at the police station. There are now two armed police outside who are being ultra-cautious, they are checking everyone who is going past.” According to local reports the suspect fled towards the neighbouring town of Beausoleil, which the Brit explained “is just over the border into France”. They added: “I imagine he has just disappeared into France.”