An explosion rocked central Athens late Friday near the offices of Greek railway company Hellenic Train, tearing through a backpack left outside the building. The blast occurred along Leoforos Andrea Siggrou, one of the city’s busiest highways, during peak traffic hours. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Surveillance footage captured the moment of the explosion, which police say was preceded by anonymous warning calls made to local media outlets. Authorities confirmed the device was concealed in a padlocked backpack placed on an unregistered scooter parked near the office complex. A bomb disposal unit was dispatched but arrived too late to neutralize the device before it detonated.

Greece’s Transport Minister, Christos Staikouras, condemned the incident, calling it a “criminal act” that put lives at risk. “Nothing justifies terrorism. No act of violence brings justice,” Staikouras said, urging law enforcement and judicial authorities to investigate and act swiftly.

Hellenic Train issued a statement denouncing the attack, confirming that none of its employees or bystanders were harmed. The company reported only “limited material damage” and reaffirmed its opposition to violence. “We categorically condemn all forms of violence and the toxic climate they create, which threatens social progress,” the statement read.

While no group has yet claimed responsibility, the explosion comes amid lingering public anger over a deadly railway disaster in February 2023, when a passenger train and a freight train collided due to a routing error, killing dozens and injuring many more. The tragedy remains a sensitive issue in Greece and continues to fuel public distrust toward the country’s rail management and oversight.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into Friday’s blast as tensions around transportation safety and accountability remain high.