Grenade Attack in Aubervilliers Leaves Two Injured and Sparks Investigation
A devastating grenade explosion occurred in Aubervilliers (Seine-Saint-Denis) on Thursday evening, seriously injuring two individuals. The incident involved an explosive device thrown at a car by unidentified assailants on a scooter. The blast took place around 8:30 p.m., at the intersection of Heurtault and Moutier streets.
One victim, a cyclist passing by, suffered a catastrophic injury, losing an arm and sustaining severe facial wounds. The second victim, a woman on a nearby sidewalk, had a finger severed and also suffered facial injuries. Both victims were rushed to a hospital in critical condition. The grenade, identified as a Yugoslav defensive grenade, shattered all windows of the targeted car, left it with a flat tire, and riddled its bodywork with holes.
The motives behind the attack remain unclear, prompting authorities to launch a thorough investigation conducted by the departmental judicial police. Initial reports do not confirm whether the victims were the intended targets or mere collateral damage. A large crowd scattered in panic following the explosion, heightening the chaotic aftermath of the incident.
Police sources revealed that the area of the attack is notorious for drug trafficking activities. Investigators are exploring if the grenade attack is linked to an ongoing series of violent incidents in the region. This week alone, Aubervilliers and nearby areas have experienced multiple instances of violence. A man involved in drug trafficking was shot in Dugny, and three others lost their lives in Sevran within a 48-hour span during separate shootings.
Law enforcement is on high alert, monitoring for potential fresh outbreaks of violence possibly related to recent police operations aimed at disrupting the local drug economy. The Grenoble attack adds to the growing concern of escalating violence in the region.
- The ongoing investigation will seek to pinpoint the exact motives behind the grenade attack while determining whether it bears any connections to local narcotics operations. Officers have cordoned off the area and forensic specialists are conducting meticulous searches for clues.
- In recent months, joint police operations like Place Net XXL have intensified efforts to dismantle drug networks in Seine-Saint-Denis. These actions have been credited with causing significant disruptions to illicit trade but have coincided with a rise in violence, possibly as traffickers struggle to maintain their grip.
- Authorities urge inhabitants to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Community cooperation is deemed essential in curbing the violence and restoring order.
