An explosion shook the Russian consulate general located on Avenue Ambroise-Paré, Marseille, early Monday morning, February 24, 2025, around 8 AM. Eyewitness reports and police sources confirmed the incident, which involved projectiles landing within the consulate's gardens.
According to sources close to the investigation, three plastic soda bottles, each containing 0.5 liters of liquid, were thrown at the consulate's facade. Out of these, two were reported to have exploded, causing loud detonations but thankfully no injuries. "The analysis of the residual substances contained within these bottles is currently underway," stated the police prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône.
The local authorities quickly secured the surrounding area, establishing a wide perimeter to safeguard the public and the consulate's personnel—who were confined inside as the explosions unfolded. Early reports indicated the potential use of homemade explosive devices, leading to heightened alertness among law enforcement.
"The explosions on the territory of the Russian consulate general present all the characteristics of a terrorist attack," commented Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, as quoted by RIA Novosti. She called on the host country to urgently implement comprehensive investigations and bolster security for Russian diplomatic facilities amid rising tensions.
French officials echoed their condemnation of the attack. A statement from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized, "France condemns any assault on the security of diplomatic missions," reiteratively underscoring the principles of international law ensuring the inviolability of diplomatic properties.
Incidentally, the explosions coincided with the third anniversary of the onset of conflict in Ukraine, adding layers of significance to the event. This timing drew various interpretations and reactions from the international community, particularly with respect to the deteriorated state of France-Russia relations.
The Marseille prosecutor's office confirmed the opening of a flagrant investigation for degradation using explosive or incendiary substances, handing over the case to the Organized and Specialized Crime Division (DCOS). The authorities aimed to determine the exact nature of the explosive devices used.
Witnesses who heard the explosions described them as sounding similar to firecrackers or balloons bursting. One local voiced, "At first, I thought it was construction work. Then the police and firefighters appeared, asking us to leave the area quickly.”
Despite the alarming circumstances, initial reports indicated the absence of damage to the consulate building itself. The explosive remnants were deemed under control by the marines and police teams who swiftly responded to the scene with heavy equipment, including bomb squads specializing in urban intervention scenarios.
Meanwhile, local law enforcement officials are currently reviewing surveillance footage for leads, particularly focusing on sightings of two individuals recorded near the consulate during the explosions.
Local residents expressed concerns over the increased violence, calling for strengthened security measures within their neighborhoods, particularly around the consulates clustered within the vicinity, housing representations from various countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, and Armenia.
Although no structural damage was reported, the Marseille incident sends powerful reverberations, reminding the global community of the fragile nature of diplomatic interactions amid growing geopolitical tensions. Moving forward, authorities will need to navigate the complexity laid out by these incidents and work on fortifying existing protocols to protect diplomatic establishments.
Following the completion of the investigative measures, local residents and the international community are left to ponder the ramifications of today's events, hoping for resolutions and restored diplomatic security.