BOMB IN THE BACK SEAT
Shock moment bomb goes off in car in Brit tourist hotspot after device found near HQ of rail firm involved in tragedy
Watch the blast footage in the player down below
SHOCKING footage has captured the moment a bomb exploded in central Athens after authorities received a tip from an anonymous caller.
The blast took place outside the Hellenic Train offices - Greece's main railway company that was involved in the tragic 2023 rail disaster, which killed dozens of people.
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Footage shows the moment the explosion ripped through a padlocked backpack planted outside the building late on Friday.
A massive flash was captured in after the bomb detonated.
Emergency rescuers rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area after local residents said they heard a loud explosion in the avenue.
It is understood to have been caused by a device which was placed inside the backpack and left on a bike without license plates.
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The backpack was reportedly tied to a pillar outside the train company offices with a padlock on.
Local media said an anonymous person had聽called聽and warned about a bomb being placed at the聽Hellenic Train聽offices at 8.53pm local time.
He warned that the bomb would explode in "30 to 40 minutes" and said that "it is not a prank".
Cops are now investigating the cause of the explosion.
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It is understood that no one was hurt in the blast but the extent of damage it caused is still unknown.
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Statement from Hellenic Train
"[We] confirm that earlier this evening, an explosion occurred very close to its headquarters on Syggrou Avenue.
"The incident caused limited material damage, without any injuries - neither among the company's employees nor among passing citizens.
"A warning call had been made to the ESIEA offices and the competent authorities were immediately mobilized, taking all necessary actions.
"Hellenic Train cooperated with the authorities from the very beginning. At the same time, it is taking all necessary measures to safeguard the safety of its employees.
"Our company unequivocally condemns all forms of violence and tensions that trigger a climate of toxicity that undermines all progress. This way of expression has no place in society.
"We will continue to courageously defend dialogue, cooperation, solidarity and justice."
Christos Dimas, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, said: "The bomb attack that took place today at the offices of Hellenic Train is an absolutely condemnable act.
"This is a criminal act, which endangered the lives of people, employees and passers-by, in a central point of Athens and during peak traffic hours.
"Nothing justifies terrorism, no act of violence brings justice. The authorities and the judiciary now have the floor."
The explosion comes amid widespread public anger over a 2023 railway disaster when two trains headed in opposite directions were accidentally put on the same track.
The passenger train carrying 350 people departed capital Athens and was headed to Thessaloniki in the north.
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It had just left Larisa in central聽Greece聽when it ploughed head-on into a freight train heading in the opposite direction.
At least three carriages burst into flames, with horror pictures showing the devastating aftermath of the disaster.
Mangled carriages with broken windows laid twisted beside the tracks as thick plumes of smoke rose into the sky.
Of 66 injured passengers - including children - some 25 were said to be in a serious condition.
A probe into the horror collision concluded it was caused by human error, poor maintenance and inadequate staffing.
A trial date is yet to be announced.
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The 2023 crash has since sparked a wave of furious protests across Greece, including earlier this year to mark the tragedy's second anniversary.
Police had to control angry mobs with tear gas and water cannons as hooded demonstrators would be seen throwing rocks and petrol bombs at cops.
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