Rome on alert after two hurt in parcel bomb embassy attacks

Italian prosecutors have launched an inquiry for a suspected "attack with terrorist aims" after parcel bombs exploded in the Chilean and Swiss embassies in Rome, injuring two employees. The incidents have prompted checks in all the embassies in Rome, with the city's mayor announcing that emergency services were on alert.

Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi

"This is a wave of terrorism against the embassies. It's more worrying than a single attack," Gianni Alemanno told reporters.

"International lines of inquiry are being followed."

The Corriere della Sera newspaper quoted investigators as saying that one of the main lines of inquiry was on "anarchist circles of the eco-terrorist movement."

Another possibility mentioned by investigators is that the Swiss embassy attack "was organised by insurgent anarchist groups," the newspaper reported.

The Swiss mail worker who opened the first package was seriously wounded, while the Chilean embassy staffer is not reported to be badly injured.

"A device hidden inside a package exploded in the embassy.. at midday (1100 GMT)," the Swiss embassy said in a statement.

"The postal worker's hands were injured and he was immediately taken to hospital."

The embassy said there had been no claim of responsibility.