A woman, 38, was killed in Thessaloniki when a bomb she was allegedly trying to plant outside a bank exploded in her hands early Saturday morning, injuring nearby storefronts and vehicles.

The fatal incident highlights a troubling escalation of violence in Greece, as authorities investigate potential connections to extremist groups following the blast that targeted a bank's ATM. With the woman previously known to police for involvement in robberies, this incident raises concerns about the motives behind the attack and the broader implications for public safety, especially coming just weeks after a similar bombing in Athens.

According to a senior police official, the woman was attempting to place the explosive device near an ATM outside a bank when it detonated. 'It appears that she was carrying an explosive device and planned to plant it at a bank's ATM,' the official stated. Reports indicate that something went wrong during the process, leading to the tragic explosion that resulted in her death.

The blast occurred in the busy northern district of Thessaloniki, causing significant damage to several surrounding storefronts and vehicles. Eyewitnesses reported a loud noise and a visible explosion, prompting immediate emergency responses from local authorities.

Following the incident, police cordoned off the area to secure the scene and conduct their investigation. They initiated a criminal investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion. Investigators are focusing on the woman’s potential connections to extremist left groups, a topic that has gained prominence in discussions about the recent surge of violence in Greece.

The woman was already known to police due to her prior involvement in criminal activities, specifically robberies. This background may provide insights into her motives and whether this action was part of a larger planned attack or a spontaneous act of violence. Experts in the field of criminal behavior suggest a deeper inquiry may be necessary to understand the rise in such incidents, especially from individuals with a criminal background.

This incident follows closely on the heels of another bombing that occurred less than a month ago, which targeted the offices of Hellenic Train in Athens. The timing of these two events raises alarms about the potential for coordinated actions by extremist factions operating in Greece. In both cases, strategic targets were chosen, indicating a clear intent to instill fear and disruption within the community.

Authorities are taking the matter seriously, aware that the announcement of the recent bombing has sparked concerns in the public sphere regarding safety. As a preventive measure, police have heightened surveillance and patrols in known hotspots where violence and extremism have been documented in the past.

In a related development, prior to the bombing in Thessaloniki, two Greek media organizations received warning calls indicating that an explosive device would detonate within a specified timeframe. The rapid response of the police to cordon off the area and investigate these threats indicates a proactive approach to potential terrorism threats. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains in question considering the recent frequency of such events.

As law enforcement continues its investigation, the community in Thessaloniki grapples with the reality of violence linked to ideological extremism. The impact of such incidents extends beyond physical damage; they create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among residents, which can disrupt daily life and economic activities in the area.