Cyprus police investigate Sotira garage explosion as attempted murder

An explosion occurred on Friday evening in the garage of a residential building in Sotira, in the Famagusta District. A 30-year-old man suffered serious injuries and is in critical condition at Nicosia Hospital. Police are investigating the incident as attempted murder.

The report of the explosion was received at around 21:20. Police officers who arrived at the scene found the injured man near a metal storage unit attached to the residential building. The man was initially taken to Famagusta Hospital, where he underwent lengthy surgery, and was then transferred to Nicosia Hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

According to police, the victim is a foreign national and a resident of Sotira who had previously come to the attention of law enforcement. The scene was cordoned off and placed under guard.

The investigation is being conducted by the Famagusta Criminal Investigation Department. Investigators are seizing surveillance camera footage and questioning witnesses, while the possibility that the attempted murder involved an explosive device is being examined.

According to several Cypriot media outlets, the explosion occurred while the man was assembling an improvised explosive device. Police have not officially confirmed this version.