Monaco, one of the safest and most surveilled places in the world, has experienced something that had never happened before in its history - a street explosion, with wounded civilians. Prince Albert issued an urgent statement, and the investigation is already being run jointly by Monegasque and French authorities.

According to what is known so far, an explosive device hidden in a backpack was deliberately set off in front of a residential building on „Reverend Père Louis Frola" street, around 9 p.m. on 29 June. Three people were wounded - Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolayev and his partner, both in serious condition, and a thirteen-year-old child with lighter injuries. The suspect left the backpack and fled on foot towards Beausoleil in France; security cameras filmed him, but so far there are no arrests.

Monaco's prosecutor described the event as unprecedented - „for the first time in history, such an act is happening in the Principality." Investigators are not yet confirming whether the victims were a direct target or happened to be at the scene. When a place that lives off an image of absolute safety suffers a blow like this, the question is not only who did it, but how much that image of untouchability really holds.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene conveyed „sympathy and unwavering support" to the victims and affected residents, with assurances that all state services have been mobilised. Behind the diplomatic tone lies an uncomfortable reality for one of the wealthiest corners of Europe - that not even the highest walls and the densest cameras guarantee that violence won't knock even where it seemed impossible.