Strong explosion damages Greek courthouse, no injuries reported

Strong explosion damages Greek courthouse, no injuries reported

2010-12-31 12:22:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

ATHENS, GREECE (BNO NEWS) -- A strong explosion outside a Greek courthouse in Athens damaged the building and several parked vehicles near the area, but no casualties or injuries were reported, local media reported Thursday.

The explosion, which occurred shortly after 8 a.m. local time, was located outside the Athens' Court of First Instance at the Ambelokipi area, Athens News reported. The loud explosion came from a bomb placed on a parked motorcycle and was heard several miles away.

Before the explosion, a local TV station received an anonymous call, informing them that a bomb would explode in around 40 minutes. The caller even gave the license plate number of the motorcycle, which had been reported stolen the previous day.

Local authorities took prompt actions and evacuated the building on time before the blast. Government and political leaders condemned the bombing.

A couple hours after the explosion, another caller warned of an additional bomb near the tax offices of Kallithea. Police once again evacuated the area, but no bombs were found.

No group or organization has claimed responsibility of the bombing.

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