Powerful explosion destroys deli in Athens north suburb

Α powerful explosion destroyed a deli shop in the northern suburb of Nea Erythraia, Athens, early Tuesday morning.

The incident took place at around 3 a.m. when unknown individuals riding on a motorcycle approached the store located at the junction of Venizelou and Strofyliou Streets.

They, broke a glass pane, and threw a high-powered explosive device inside the store, police said.

The explosion destroyed the glass panels and caused extensive damage inside the deli.

State-run broadcaster ERT showed store employees sweeping broken glass and spilled products from the sidewalk as a team of the police’s explosive ordnance disposal unit collected debris.

Ιt is not known why the deli was targeted.

While special police units investigates the remains of the bomb, the Extortionists’ Department investigates whether the explosion can be linked to mafia groups.

The owners of the family business reportedly told police that they had not received any threats nor did they have any conflict with anyone in the past.

The attackers were wearing helmets, however, given the fact that there are dozens of CCTV cameras in the broader area, police hopes to make a clue about their route when they fled right after placing the bomb.