Three people injured after explosion in Monaco

An explosion at a residential building in Monaco has injured three people, two of them critically.

The blast occurred shortly before 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT) after a bag was left outside the building on Rue Révérend Père Louis Frolla, near the border with France.

Minister of State Christophe Mirmand told AFP it was "very likely an attack" and police were investigating.

He said the blast had been caused by an explosive device which appeared to contain bolts and pellets. The Monaco government said a suspect was seen on a video surveillance system fleeing towards France.

More than 100 police and emergency personnel were deployed to the scene.

"This is the first time in history, to my knowledge, that such an act has taken place in the principality," Mirmand, the head of Monaco's government, said.

Mirmand told local media that two of the victims had suffered "life-threatening" injuries, but did not disclose the identities of any of the victims. The Monaco government said the three injured people had been taken to hospital in the nearby French city Nice.

Monaco's Prince Albert II described the incident as a "heinous crime" and "a shock to the entire Monaco community".

He said "all concerned state services are currently being mobilised" in co-operation with the relevant French authorities.

Officials are expected to provide an update on Tuesday local time.