Athens bomb squad detonates suspicious suitcase found on Havriou street in city centre

Suitcase reported in central Athens

A suspicious suitcase was found on Havriou street in central Athens on the morning of 12 November 2026. Passers-by spotted it and alerted the authorities, and police sealed off the area around the object. The street lies between Syntagma and Monastiraki, near its junction with Kolokotroni street.

Reports differ on the timing of the alarm. One says police were mobilised around 9:00, while another puts the alarm at around 10:00.

Bomb disposal operation

Explosive ordnance disposal officers of the Hellenic Police (TEEM) were sent to the scene to check the object. After inspection, they decided on a controlled explosion. Police cordoned off the surrounding roads while the operation was under way, and traffic in the nearby streets was halted for security reasons.

Contents and outcome

Reports disagree on what the suitcase held. One account says it was empty, while another describes its contents as unknown until the bomb squad examined it. According to ERT, the check found no reason for concern once the controlled explosion had taken place.

Open questions

The reports do not say what, if anything, was inside the suitcase or who left it on the street.