Letter explodes at IMF offices in Paris; wounds one person

A letter exploded Thursday when it was opened at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) offices in central Paris, wounding one person in the face .

Police said there had been telephone threats against the IMF but it was not clear if they were linked to the explosive device. It was also unclear who had sent the device.

Christine Lagarde, the head of the IMF, said in a statement: “I have been informed about the the explosion in the IMF’s Paris office, which caused injuries to one of our staff. I have been in touch with the office, and my compassion goes to the colleagues there.

“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.”

The incident, just six weeks before a presidential election, comes as a militant Greek group, Conspiracy of Fire Cells, claimed responsibility for a parcel bomb mailed to German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble.

France remains in a state of emergency after a string of deadly Islamic extremist attacks over the past two years.

Source: The Guardian, Reuters, Associated Press, and Independent