ATHENS: A deadly explosion in an Athens apartment was caused by a homemade bomb on Thursday (Oct 31) and authorities suspect it may be linked to local guerrilla groups, Greek police and officials said on Friday.

Two guns, bullets, mobile phones and digital evidence were seized from the scene of the blast, which killed a man and seriously injured a woman, police said in a statement. The slain man has not yet been identified.

Police believe the evidence could link the case to anti-establishment guerrilla groups and suspect the blast occurred while the bomb was being made, a police official told Reuters.

“It remains to be seen whether this was an attempt to resurrect a third generation of guerrillas,” the official said.

Greece has a long history of political violence. Since its most lethal group, November 17, was dismantled in 2002, several other leftist and anarchist groups have emerged, declaring war on all forms of government.

Small bombings and arson attacks were common during the country’s 2009-2018 debt crisis, most targeting politicians, judges, embassies and companies.

They have diminished in recent years, but still occur.