Parcel bombs explode at embassies in Rome, at least 2 injured

Embassies in Rome went on alert Thursday after a pair of parcel bombs exploded at the Swiss and Chilean missions to the Italian republic.

The first bomb exploded in the morning at the Swiss embassy to Italy, seriously injuring the hands of the man who opened the package.

The second parcel bomb exploded at the Chilean embassy to Italy in the afternoon, also injuring the person who opened it – though there was no immediate word on the gravity of the victim’s injuries.

A third package at the Ukrainian Embassy in Rome was flagged as suspect, though subsequent investigation revealed the parcel to be innocuous.

The attacks follow the discovery on Tuesday of a device on a subway that authorities later determined to be a fake.

Rome’s mayor, Gianni Alemanno told reporters the Thursday attack at the Swiss embassy appeared to be international, rather than domestic, and unconnected with the hoax device found in the underground metro rail system.

Listen to Chris Altieri's report: