Bomb Package detonated in Monaco

A bomb disposal expert was called in to
undertake a controlled explosion of a suspect package in the paddock for
the Monaco Grand Prix on Thursday night.


A small white plastic box was found discarded outside the entrance
to the media centre, the Salle d'Exposition near to La Rascasse.

Local police initially closed off the entrance to the media centre at
around 9.45pm local time, forcing journalists leaving to exit through a
back door.

The area was then sealed off to allow the bomb disposal expert to
check the package over before he eventually declared it suspect.

A small crowd that had gathered, including a handful of journalists
and photographers, were pushed back to a distance of around 50 yards in
between the motorhomes belonging to Formula One supremo Bernie
Ecclestone and the FIA.

As the expert prepared to detonate, the group was asked to retreat a
further 20 yards near to the entrance of the McLaren motorhome.

Finally, after 20 minutes working on the package and wiring it up, it
was eventually exploded, creating a considerable noise and leaving
shards of white plastic strewn across the floor.

It is the second time in successive years a bomb disposal unit has been summoned to the paddock ahead of the Monaco race.