Marseille: An explosion occurred inside the Russian consulate building in the southern port city of Marseille, France. International media reported that the blast was heard on Monday near the consulate, prompting the presence of firemen at the site.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Russian news outlet RBC quoted Russia’s consul general in Marseille, Stanislav Oranskiy, confirming the explosion inside the consulate. French police have yet to confirm the reports of the incident, leaving the situation somewhat unclear. The nature and cause of the explosion remain undisclosed at this time.