Greek counter-terrorism police have launched a massive manhunt after a coordinated triple arson attack on ruling New Democracy officials in Thessaloniki left a politician's elderly mother dead and five others hospitalised in a chilling pre-dawn strike.
Three gas canister bombs detonated within 17 minutes of each other between 4am and 5am Wednesday, targeting the homes of party official Zisis Ioakimovic in Pylaia, former lawmaker Savvas Anastasiadis in Toumba, and politician Afroditi Nestora in the Harilaou district.
The first two blasts caused limited structural damage, but the third ignited a devastating blaze through Nestora's apartment building.
Five people were rushed to hospital, including Nestora and her husband Panagiotis.
Her mother, Vagia Nestora, suffered burns to 80% of her body and died of multi-organ failure at Ippokrateio General Hospital later that evening.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis flew to Thessaloniki to visit the survivors, branding the attack a "cowardly and murderous" act and pledging that the perpetrators would face justice. Government ministers have since declared cracking the case "a matter of honour."
Security cameras captured at least one individual planting the devices.
Anti-terrorism investigators are now analysing footage suggesting a cell of at least three suspects, operating on motorcycles and moving with coordinated precision.
Their focus has turned to anti-establishment anarchist groups with suspected links to previous militant activity at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
The meticulously timed nature of the attacks — three targets, three boroughs, less than 20 minutes — points to an operation planned with a level of organisation that has alarmed Greek security services.
The killing of a civilian bystander, an elderly woman asleep in her daughter's home, has intensified the pressure on authorities to make arrests swiftly.