Explosion rocks hotel on Larnaca seafront (updated)

The blast in the early hours of Monday at a Larnaca seaside hotel, which has been closed for renovation work since December last year, was caused by a home-made explosive device, police said.

The home-made explosive device went off at about 2am, causing minor damage to the building’s entrance. There was nobody present at the time.

“The explosion occurred at the hotel’s main entrance and caused damages to the hotel’s entrance, while there were no injuries, as the building was under renovation,” Larnaca police spokesman Spyros Chrysostomou said.

Chrysostomou added that the scene was cordoned off by the police and in the morning a team of pyrotechnicians visited the area and carried out an investigation, which determined that the explosion had been caused by the high-powered improvised explosive device.

He also said police will examine CCTV footage of the area to identify the perpetrator(s) who planted the device.

Statements are to be taken from the owners of the hotel to investigate any possible disputes with any suspected person(s), who may have carried out the attack.

The hotel which is on the seafront, east of Larnaca and south of Pyla, was due to reopen on May 15.