Two injured in blast outside Athens church

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Europe

00:58

Two people were injured by an explosion at the Saint Dionysios Church in the Kolonaki district in the center of the Greek capital, Athens, early on Thursday, AFP reported citing police.

The homemade explosive device exploded at 7:10 am (0510 GMT), injuring a police officer and the caretaker, who have both been taken to hospital.

Forensics officers stand outside the Saint Dionysios churchyard, following the detonation of an explosive device in Athens, Greece, December 27, 2018. /VCG Photo

"The police officer spotted a box outside the entrance of the church and thought it was strange. The blast was not powerful; the officer was injured in the face and hands," a police official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters.

Greek police investigate the scene after an explosive device went off outside a church in central Athens, Greece on December 27, 2018. /VCG Photo

The motive behind the explosion or who is responsible were not immediately clear.

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