Explosion in Zagreb

Police rule out firecracker as cause of Zagreb's main square explosion

24.01.2013 u 13:32

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Police have not yet established the type of an explosive device that went off in Zagreb's main square early Wednesday morning, dismissing media speculations that it was a powerful firecracker.

Police said on Thursday that the explosion was caused by an identified explosive device which caused "damage to the ground and nearby objects". The minor explosion occurred in Trg Bana Jelacica square at 0230 hours and no one was hurt.

The investigation is under way. The police treat the incident as an act against public security, but would not say if they have a suspect.

It was a third explosion in Zagreb this month. 53-year-old Vojislav Blazevic has been remanded in custody for 30 days on suspicion of causing two explosions in a western section of the city two weeks ago.

On Wednesday, Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic declined to discuss the nature of the latest explosion.

"The Zagreb Police Department will report on the event. I would refrain from calling it an act of terrorism since only one concrete tile was damaged. We'll see what the police will say," Ostojic told the press.

When asked if the explosion could be linked to two blasts that recently rocked the city's western section of Stenjevec, Ostojic said: "I can't link it to anything if the police have established no such link yet."