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Explosion rocks US Athens embassy Blast rocks US embassy in Athens
(about 1 hour later)
An explosion has rocked the US embassy compound in the Greek capital, Athens, police say. An explosion has hit the US embassy compound in the centre of the Greek capital, Athens.
Police have surrounded the heavily-guarded building and cordoned off the area. Police said a small rocket-propelled grenade or similar device was fired into the front of the embassy.
There was no immediate information about what caused the blast, and no word on any damage or injuries. Fire engines and police cordoned off the area around the fortified building. The US State Department said there were no injuries.
Fire engines rushed to the scene amid reports of an explosion at the heavily-fortified building in the centre of the city. The BBC correspondent in Athens says the US embassy is often the target of small-scale attacks by radical groups.
TV pictures showed a mass of emergency vehicles and stationary traffic outside the embassy as the area was sealed off. Many of the attacks are carried out by small groups following in the footsteps of the disbanded November 17 terrorist group, says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant.
'Windows shattered'
Emergency services rushed to the embassy, which is on one of Athens' main boulevards, after reports of an explosion shortly before 0600 (0400 GMT).
Television pictures showed a mass of emergency vehicles and stationary traffic outside the embassy as the area was sealed off.
A US embassy employee told Reuters news agency Greek anti-terrorist police could be seen investigating near the scene.
The blast was powerful enough to break windows in nearby buildings, reports said.