One of the five letter bombs sent to at least five journalists working in TV and radio stations in violence-hit Ecuador went off. However, no injury was reported.

The incident occurred on Monday. The prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation to find out the perpetrator and is determining whether this incident will be probed through the terrorist angle. However, they didn’t say why the journalists were specifically targeted.

Interior Minister Juan Zapata said that the explosive envelopes were sent from Quimsaloma town, in the coastal province of Los Rios. Of which, three were sent to the southwest port city of Guayaquil and two to the capital Quito, reports AFP news agency.

“The device is indeed the same in all five places," Zapata told reporters.

In Guayaquil, journalist Lenin Artieda of the Ecuavisa private TV station received the envelope which had a pen drive. When he inserted it into his office computer, it exploded.

Another letter bomb sent to journalist Carlos Vera was timely intercepted by the police at a courier company in Guayaquil and did not reach its destination, Zapata said.

“There is an absolutely clear message to silence journalists," the minister said.

Meanwhile, the government in its statement slammed the incident and said it "categorically rejects any form of violence perpetrated against journalists and media outlets."

“Any attempt to intimidate journalism and freedom of expression is repugnant," it added.

Sandwiched between Colombia and Peru—the world's two largest cocaine producers—Ecuador has emerged to be the hub for the global drug trade in recent years.

Guayaquil is one of its most violent cities, with frequent clashes between criminal gangs disputing drug trafficking routes.

President Guillermo Lasso has declared war on gangs who control the drug trade from prisons engulfed by extreme violence and riots that have left more than 400 inmates dead since 2021.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

One of the five letter bombs sent to at least five journalists working in TV and radio stations in violence-hit Ecuador went off. However, no injury was reported.

One of the five letter bombs sent to at least five journalists working in TV and radio stations in violence-hit Ecuador went off. However, no injury was reported. The incident occurred on Monday. The prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation to find out the perpetrator and is determining whether this incident will be probed through the terrorist angle. However, they didn’t say why the journalists were specifically targeted. Interior Minister Juan Zapata said that the explosive envelopes were sent from Quimsaloma town, in the coastal province of Los Rios. Of which, three were sent to the southwest port city of Guayaquil and two to the capital Quito, reports AFP news agency. “The device is indeed the same in all five places," Zapata told reporters. In Guayaquil, journalist Lenin Artieda of the Ecuavisa private TV station received the envelope which had a pen drive. When he inserted it into his office computer, it exploded. Another letter bomb sent to journalist Carlos Vera was timely intercepted by the police at a courier company in Guayaquil and did not reach its destination, Zapata said. “There is an absolutely clear message to silence journalists," the minister said. Meanwhile, the government in its statement slammed the incident and said it "categorically rejects any form of violence perpetrated against journalists and media outlets." “Any attempt to intimidate journalism and freedom of expression is repugnant," it added. Sandwiched between Colombia and Peru—the world's two largest cocaine producers—Ecuador has emerged to be the hub for the global drug trade in recent years. Guayaquil is one of its most violent cities, with frequent clashes between criminal gangs disputing drug trafficking routes. President Guillermo Lasso has declared war on gangs who control the drug trade from prisons engulfed by extreme violence and riots that have left more than 400 inmates dead since 2021. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

One of five bomb-laden letters targeting journalists in Ecuador goes off, none injured

Spain has increased security at embassies and government buildings after receiving six letter bombs and incendiary devices over the past few days.

Spain tightens security at government buildings after string of letter bombs

Security has been beefed up at public and diplomatic buildings in Spain following a string of letter bombs, including one that injured an official at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid.&nbsp;As per the nation's interior ministry on November 24th an "envelope with pyrotechnic material" addressed to the Prime minister was disarmed by them.&nbsp;

The Ukrainian embassy, military equipment firm Instalaza, and the defence ministry all received three similar devices. Early on Thursday morning, a fifth one was detected at Spain's Torrejon de Ardoz air base.

Watch |&nbsp;NATO to boost its support to Ukraine amid Russian strikes

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-to-boost-its-support-to-ukraine-amid-russian-strikes-538745/embed" width="560"></iframe>

Instalaza is the arms company which makes the grenade launchers that Spain donates to Ukraine.

Quoting a person familiar with the investigation, Reuters reported that the devices were sent to the heads of each institution in similar brown envelopes.&nbsp;The packages were detonated using controlled explosions.

Kyiv increased security at its embassies around the world after the letter bomb was opened by a security guard at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid. The guard suffered minor hand injuries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-wives-encouraging-their-husbands-to-rape-ukrainian-women-alleges-first-lady-olena-zelenska-539149">Russian wives encouraging their husbands to rape Ukrainian women, alleges first lady Olena Zelenska</a>

According to the source, Spain's Correos postal service has been requested to assist in the pre-screening of all such envelopes.

The letter bombs had loose gunpowder with an electrical ignition mechanism, which would cause the powder to burn instead of exploding.

Citing a judicial source Reuters further reports that Spain's High Court, which specialises in terrorism, has begun an investigation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-plans-further-russian-fertiliser-exports-to-africa-upbeat-on-ammonia-pipeline-539119">UN plans further Russian fertiliser exports to Africa, upbeat on ammonia pipeline</a>

As per AFP, the Ukrainian ambassador to Spain, Serhii Pohoreltsev, indirectly blamed Russia for the bomb.

In an interview with Spanish national television late on Wednesday, he said, "We are well aware of the terrorist methods of the aggressor country."

"Russia's methods and attacks require us to be ready for any kind of incident, provocation or attack," he stressed.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Security has been beefed up at public and diplomatic buildings in Spain following a string of letter bombs, including one that injured an official at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid.

Security has been beefed up at public and diplomatic buildings in Spain following a string of letter bombs, including one that injured an official at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid. As per the nation's interior ministry on November 24th an "envelope with pyrotechnic material" addressed to the Prime minister was disarmed by them. The Ukrainian embassy, military equipment firm Instalaza, and the defence ministry all received three similar devices. Early on Thursday morning, a fifth one was detected at Spain's Torrejon de Ardoz air base. Watch | NATO to boost its support to Ukraine amid Russian strikes Instalaza is the arms company which makes the grenade launchers that Spain donates to Ukraine. Quoting a person familiar with the investigation, Reuters reported that the devices were sent to the heads of each institution in similar brown envelopes. The packages were detonated using controlled explosions. Kyiv increased security at its embassies around the world after the letter bomb was opened by a security guard at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid. The guard suffered minor hand injuries. Also read | Russian wives encouraging their husbands to rape Ukrainian women, alleges first lady Olena Zelenska According to the source, Spain's Correos postal service has been requested to assist in the pre-screening of all such envelopes. The letter bombs had loose gunpowder with an electrical ignition mechanism, which would cause the powder to burn instead of exploding. Citing a judicial source Reuters further reports that Spain's High Court, which specialises in terrorism, has begun an investigation. Also read | UN plans further Russian fertiliser exports to Africa, upbeat on ammonia pipeline As per AFP, the Ukrainian ambassador to Spain, Serhii Pohoreltsev, indirectly blamed Russia for the bomb. In an interview with Spanish national television late on Wednesday, he said, "We are well aware of the terrorist methods of the aggressor country." "Russia's methods and attacks require us to be ready for any kind of incident, provocation or attack," he stressed. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Spain beefs up security after letter bombs; Ukraine ambassador Pohoreltsev blames Russia

A&nbsp;security guard at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid received&nbsp;minor injuries, after reading a letter bomb on Wednesday that was addressed to the Ukrainian ambassador. This incident prompted Kyiv to increase security at its embassies.&nbsp;

According to Mercedes Gonzalez, a representative of the central government in Madrid, the letter that had been sent via ordinary mail detonated as the guard opened it on the embassy grounds. "Fortunately it was not serious, the person has a small injury to his right hand. The letter was addressed to the ambassador," she stated in an interview with Telemadrid TV.

According to a police source, the individual "went himself to a hospital" for treatment after suffering "light" injuries. The explosion at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid was reported to Spain's National Police force at around 1:00 pm (1200 GMT), the source continued.&nbsp;

The source claimed without going into further detail that police had started an inquiry "which includes the participation of forensic police." Police established a security perimeter around the embassy, which is situated in a quiet neighbourhood in northern Madrid.

A resident of the area in front of the embassy who wished to remain unnamed told AFP that after going outside to walk his dogs, police were now stopping him from going back inside. He claimed, "I heard it, I thought it was a gunshot, it was not too loud."&nbsp;

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-to-set-up-tribunal-backed-by-un-to-investigate-possible-russian-war-crimes-in-ukraine-538797">&nbsp;EU to set up tribunal backed by UN to investigate possible Russian war crimes in Ukraine</a>

After the mail bomb went off, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian foreign ministry, Oleg Nikolenko, said on social media that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had ordered the stepping up of security at all Ukrainian embassies.&nbsp;

Jose Manuel Albares, the foreign minister of Spain, spoke over the phone with the ambassador of Ukraine to Spain "to ask about the well-being of the Ukrainian worker who was injured," according to a statement from the Spanish foreign ministry. Additionally, Albares phoned Kuleba to offer his "support and solidarity", it added.

(with inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

A security guard at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid received minor injuries, after reading a letter bomb on Wednesday that was addressed to the Ukrainian ambassador.

A security guard at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid received minor injuries, after reading a letter bomb on Wednesday that was addressed to the Ukrainian ambassador. This incident prompted Kyiv to increase security at its embassies. According to Mercedes Gonzalez, a representative of the central government in Madrid, the letter that had been sent via ordinary mail detonated as the guard opened it on the embassy grounds. "Fortunately it was not serious, the person has a small injury to his right hand. The letter was addressed to the ambassador," she stated in an interview with Telemadrid TV. According to a police source, the individual "went himself to a hospital" for treatment after suffering "light" injuries. The explosion at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid was reported to Spain's National Police force at around 1:00 pm (1200 GMT), the source continued. The source claimed without going into further detail that police had started an inquiry "which includes the participation of forensic police." Police established a security perimeter around the embassy, which is situated in a quiet neighbourhood in northern Madrid. A resident of the area in front of the embassy who wished to remain unnamed told AFP that after going outside to walk his dogs, police were now stopping him from going back inside. He claimed, "I heard it, I thought it was a gunshot, it was not too loud." Also Read: EU to set up tribunal backed by UN to investigate possible Russian war crimes in Ukraine After the mail bomb went off, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian foreign ministry, Oleg Nikolenko, said on social media that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had ordered the stepping up of security at all Ukrainian embassies. Jose Manuel Albares, the foreign minister of Spain, spoke over the phone with the ambassador of Ukraine to Spain "to ask about the well-being of the Ukrainian worker who was injured," according to a statement from the Spanish foreign ministry. Additionally, Albares phoned Kuleba to offer his "support and solidarity", it added. (with inputs from agencies)

Madrid: Ukraine embassy guard 'lightly' injured while opening letter bomb

Norwegian police said Thursday they had defused a potentially devastating letter bomb that had been sent to a police station, a rare incident in the tranquil Scandinavian country.

The Ski police station, located southeast of Oslo, was evacuated early Wednesday after an employee alerted superiors to a suspicious package.

It turned out to contain a homemade bomb primed to explode when the package was opened.

"A real bomb that could, and was designed to, harm people," police commissioner Steven Hasseldal told reporters.

"This is a very serious crime. We consider it an attack against the police that could have caused a lot of damage," he said.

A bomb disposal unit defused the device. Police said they had no suspects at this stage.

This type of incident is extremely rare in Norway, where police are generally respected and where officers are usually unarmed.

Norwegian police said Thursday they had defused a potentially devastating letter bomb that had been sent to a police station, a rare incident in the tranquil Scandinavian country.

Norwegian police said Thursday they had defused a potentially devastating letter bomb that had been sent to a police station, a rare incident in the tranquil Scandinavian country. The Ski police station, located southeast of Oslo, was evacuated early Wednesday after an employee alerted superiors to a suspicious package. It turned out to contain a homemade bomb primed to explode when the package was opened. "A real bomb that could, and was designed to, harm people," police commissioner Steven Hasseldal told reporters. "This is a very serious crime. We consider it an attack against the police that could have caused a lot of damage," he said. A bomb disposal unit defused the device. Police said they had no suspects at this stage. This type of incident is extremely rare in Norway, where police are generally respected and where officers are usually unarmed.

Letter bomb sent to Norway police station

letter-bomb

Letter Bomb, News on Letter Bomb, stories on Letter Bomb, articles on Letter Bomb, Letter Bomb stories at Wion, Letter Bomb news, Letter Bomb latest news