Grenade Thrown at US Embassy in Montenegro, Attacker Commits Suicide

Local Editor

The US mission in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, urged people to avoid the area following a grenade attack on the diplomatic premises by an unknown assailant, who subsequently blew himself up with a second device.

The incident took place around 00:30 local time Thursday, when an "unknown person" threw an "explosive device" from the street into the US embassy compound, the government of Montenegro announced on Twitter.

Authorities believe that the projectile thrown was a hand grenade. Immediately afterward the assailant "committed suicide with an explosive device," the statement added.

Meanwhile, the country's police started an investigation and are now looking into possible motives for the attack.

Authorities swiftly blocked Revolution Boulevard where the country's National Security Agency and the US embassy are located. Further details of the incident are yet unclear.

The US embassy, for the time being, issued a warning urging people to avoid the area. "The US embassy in Podgorica advises US citizens there is an active security situation at the US embassy in Podgorica," the US embassy in Montenegro said. "Avoid the embassy until further notice."

The diplomatic mission cancelled all visa services scheduled for Thursday, and said that services for American citizens will be available "on an emergency basis."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team