Panic in Lyon for the explosion of an artifact wounding thirteen people

The city of Lyon, in eastern France, has seen scenes of panic after the explosion of an artifact in a busy downtown street, which caused thirteen minor injuries two days ago before the European elections.

The investigation into this case was entrusted to the antiterrorist section of the prosecution in Paris, while the president, Emmanuel Macron, spoke of "attack", without specifying the circumstances.

Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet confirmed that it was "soon" question of a terrorist act.

The alleged perpetrator has not yet been arrested, while the police broadcast via social networks a call to witnesses who can identify it, while showing the photo captured by a CCTV camera.

You can see a man in Bermuda who drops off the camera and rides on a dark bicycle.

The bomb was in a backpack containing screws, nails and other materials.

The events took place at the corner of rue Victor Hugo and rue Sala, near Place Bellecour, considered the heart of the city.

Minutes after the incident, a spokesman for the prefecture said the situation was "under control" while the police were establishing a security perimeter around the affected area.

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner has ordered the country's authorities to strengthen security in public places and at cultural and religious sports events.

"I have just given surveillance instructions to all the prefects to enhance the security of sites that host the public and sporting, cultural and religious events," wrote Castaner on his Twitter account.

In addition, the minister added that he was monitoring the situation in coordination with the prefect of the region (government delegate) and with the prosecutor's office.

Castaner and Prime Minister Édouard Philippe canceled their presence at their party's last campaign event before the European elections.

The security forces are looking for a man who, according to the cameras videotaped, would have placed an artifact next to a bakery in a pedestrian street in central Lyon.

According to the French media, several wounded, all light, were transferred to hospitals in the city.

The prosecutor's office in Paris, in charge of the fight against terrorism, opened an investigation into the facts.

The French president himself, Emmanuel Macron, described as an "attack" what happened in Lyon, although its nature is still unknown.

The latest attack with a parcel bomb in France dates back to 2007, when an explosion was recorded in a law firm causing death and injuries. EFE