Police foil suspected bomb attack outside Bank of America building in Paris | World News

French police have thwarted a suspected bomb attack outside the Bank of America building in Paris, and detained a person, authorities said.

Anti-terrorism prosecutors have opened an investigation after a man allegedly tried to set off an improvised explosive device near the premises of a US bank.

The incident occurred on Saturday morning when officers saw two suspects carrying shopping bags near a building in the capital’s 8th arrondissement, according to RTL radio, citing police sources.

One of the suspects, holding a lighter, tried to light the device, RTL said.

He was caught in the area at around 03.25 local time (02.25 UK time) and taken into custody, according to Le Parisien.

The second suspect fled the scene and remains at large.

The detained suspect told police he had been contacted via Snapchat and paid 600 euros (£520) to carry out the act, adding that he was driven to the scene by another person, ⁠Le Parisien reported.

The newspaper said the device consisted of a 5-liter container containing an unknown liquid and an explosive made of 650 grams of powder.

The object was secured and handed over to forensic experts from the Paris police laboratory, according to Le Parisien.

That Paris Police authorities declined to comment.

“We are aware of the situation and are communicating with authorities,” a Bank of America spokesperson said.

An investigation into alleged terrorism-related offenses has been opened by the national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office, or PNAT.

The alleged offenses include attempted destruction by fire or dangerous means, manufacture of incendiary devices or explosives, possession and transportation of such devices with the intent to cause malicious damage, and involvement in a terrorist criminal association.

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French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez praised the officers, saying on social media: “Well done for the quick intervention of the Paris prefectural police unit, which made it possible to thwart an act of violence of a terrorist nature overnight in Paris.

“Vigilance remains at a very high level.

“I commend all security and intelligence forces, which are fully mobilized under my authority in the current international context.”

Since the Iran war began, French authorities have strengthened protection of Iranian opposition figures and increased security around sites that might be targeted, including sites linked to US interests and the Jewish community, Nunez previously said.