Blast smashes windows, wrecks offices at Greece's SKAI TV in 'attack on democracy'

Forensic experts search for evidence after a bomb blast outside the Greece's SKAI TV building in Athens, Greece December 17, 2018. REUTERS.

Its police correspondent said the device was estimated to have contained about 5 kg of explosives and placed in a narrow alleyway close to the building.

Video footage broadcast on local media showed a cloud of smoke emerging from the building after a loud blast. Footage from within the building showed windows blown out, with desks in offices strewn with glass.

“Press freedom will not be terrorized by anyone,” New Democracy party spokeswoman Maria Spyraki told SKAI.

SKAI is one of Greece’s biggest TV stations and part of a media group which includes a radio station and is affiliated with the leading daily newspaper, Kathimerini.

Police said a makeshift explosive device went off near the SKAI building at 2:35 a.m. following warning calls to two media outlets. On its website, the station said windows were smashed from the first to the sixth floors.

“The material damage is big on almost all floors, with the biggest seen on the third and fourth floors, where employees’ offices are located,” it said.

“The picture is disheartening. Suspended ceilings collapsed to the floor, glass windows broke to pieces.”

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Small-scale attacks on businesses, state buildings, police and politicians are not uncommon in Greece, which has a long history of political violence.

Speaking to SKAI from the scene, Greece’s Citizens’ Protection Minister Olga Gerovassili said the attack had targeted democracy.

“Democracy, however, is shielded and of course not threatened,” she said.

Journalists presenting SKAI’s morning show were broadcasting live outside the building.