Evening Standard :
A letter has exploded at the International Monetary Fund in Paris, leaving at least one person injured.
Staff from the office were evacuated and armed police and soldiers descended on the building on Thursday morning.
The small explosion happened after a person opened an envelope at the IMF office, which is also next door to the World Bank. It is yet unclear who sent the letter but police are currently investigating the scene in the west of the French capital. A police source told Reuters: “An envelope exploded after it was opened and one person was slightly injured in the offices of the IMF.” IMF chief Christine Lagarde called the letter “a cowardly act of violence”. In a statement she said: “I condemn this cowardly act of violence and reaffirm the IMF’s resolve to continue our work in line with our mandate. “We are working closely with the French authorities to
investigate this incident and ensure the safety of our staff.” No other damage or injuries have been reported.
France remains in a state of emergency after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks over the past two years.
Today’s suspect package comes just six weeks before France goes to the polls in their Presidential election.
This week the German finance minister was sent a suspicious package containing explosives similar to those used in fireworks.It was destroyed in a controlled explosion by explosives experts. The IMF’s office in Paris works with the European Union, EU governments and international organisations to help countries around the globe work together on financial matters. In December last year Christine Lagarde, the chief of the IMF and former French finance minister, was found guilty over a public money payout to a businessman while in her government role.
A letter has exploded at the International Monetary Fund in Paris, leaving at least one person injured.
Staff from the office were evacuated and armed police and soldiers descended on the building on Thursday morning.
The small explosion happened after a person opened an envelope at the IMF office, which is also next door to the World Bank. It is yet unclear who sent the letter but police are currently investigating the scene in the west of the French capital. A police source told Reuters: “An envelope exploded after it was opened and one person was slightly injured in the offices of the IMF.” IMF chief Christine Lagarde called the letter “a cowardly act of violence”. In a statement she said: “I condemn this cowardly act of violence and reaffirm the IMF’s resolve to continue our work in line with our mandate. “We are working closely with the French authorities to
investigate this incident and ensure the safety of our staff.” No other damage or injuries have been reported.
France remains in a state of emergency after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks over the past two years.
Today’s suspect package comes just six weeks before France goes to the polls in their Presidential election.
This week the German finance minister was sent a suspicious package containing explosives similar to those used in fireworks.It was destroyed in a controlled explosion by explosives experts. The IMF’s office in Paris works with the European Union, EU governments and international organisations to help countries around the globe work together on financial matters. In December last year Christine Lagarde, the chief of the IMF and former French finance minister, was found guilty over a public money payout to a businessman while in her government role.
